Motherwell boss Mark McGhee has praised his players for adapting to change as they continue their quest for a European spot against Hearts.McGhee has changed to a 4-2-4 formation in the past two games, with Darren Smith making his first SPL starts of the season.

He was rewarded with six goals and six points in victories against Gretna and Inverness, which saw Well go four points clear in third place.

And McGhee, who continues to tie up players on improved contracts, will maintain the direct approach at Fir Park.

He said: "It wasn't just the fact we made some changes to the personnel and the system, it was also the the way we are playing - we have changed that completely.

"We have changed from a team that were making a lot of passes to being a team that have become much more direct, and we are still getting results.

"Because of the surface, the midfield area is not an area where we are able to pass the ball at the moment.

"So we have got to cut that out and get the ball forward a bit earlier and a bit more directly to the strikers, so that will continue against Hearts.

"When we go to Aberdeen and Falkirk, it might be different. If we get to Aberdeen and the pitch is good, we could easily go back to 4-3-3."

While McGhee has been making changes on the park, he is looking to provide some stability off the field by securing players on longer and improved contracts.

Young strikers Jamie Murphy and Mark Archdeacon signed three-year extensions on Wednesday and Stephen Craigan has been given improved terms on his contract, which runs to 2010.

Skipper Paul Quinn has been offered a contract extension as McGhee looks to ensure Ross McCormack is the only player thinking of leaving.

"Paul Quinn is only one of them, Stephen Craigan signed a new contract yesterday," McGhee said.

"We expect within a couple of days Keith Lasley and people like that to sign new contracts, Steven McGarry.

"We are going to lose Ross but we don't have to lose anyone else.

"And in the summer we have to add to it. I think Murphy and Archdeacon have the opportunity between now and the start of next season that they could take Ross' place if Ross leaves, as looks likely.

"That is two good young players signed in the long term and they could be here scoring goals for the next couple of years."

Well are unbeaten against Hearts in three games and knocked them out of the Scottish Cup with a 1-0 replay win last month.

But McGhee expects the Edinburgh side to be fired up to prevent a repeat.

He said: "Hearts have twice been ahead of us so I think they will be saying to themselves, 'this is a team that we can beat, if we start well again then they are not always going to come back at us'.

"So I said it in the replay here that we could not afford to let Hearts get the first goal and I think it is a little bit like that tomorrow - we have got to get the first goal."

More Football News from TEAMtalk