Clarkson calls on Motherwell to show resilience after tragic death

McGrillen, who was found dead in the garage of his Hamilton home on Wednesday with police reporting no suspicious circumstances, is the fourth member of Motherwell's 1990-91 Scottish Cup winning squad to die in his 30s after Davie Cooper, O'Donnell and Jamie Dolan.

Through McGrillen's long-standing friendship with O'Donnell, Clarkson came to know him well and the young Scotland striker attended a coaching event with him just three months ago.

"Hearing the news was dreadful," said Clarkson. "I can only send out my thoughts to Paul's family and friends. I hope they will get the same kind of support I did when Phil passed away.

"Paul was a big part of Motherwell and was close friends with Phil. I hope the club and people around his family are there to help them out. I'm sure Motherwell will help out as much as they can.

"I knew Paul, I did a few coaching and community things with him in the Motherwell area. He was starting something with the Wishaw Sports Centre and I was there with him just before last season ended.

"Any time he needed tickets, balls or strips donated, I helped him out. He was a really good guy, down to earth. I couldn't believe it when I heard the news."

Clarkson is preparing for his first season in English football, following his 600,000 move to Bristol, and is poised to make his Championship debut against Preston next Saturday.

The 23-year-old is looking to emulate his former Motherwell team-mate Ross McCormack whose career has been energised at both club and senior international level since he left Fir Park for Cardiff City.

"I felt it was the right time for me to leave," said Clarkson. "I had been at Motherwell for about eight years. I loved my time there, but I'll be 24 soon and I felt this was the right move for me. I hope it will help me progress as a player.

"I hope it will be good for my Scotland career. This is a big club in the Championship and if I can get a run of matches under my belt here, then hopefully it will improve my chances of getting more time on the pitch for Scotland.

"Ross was always a good player, but you can see how well he has come on since he came down to the Championship. It's all about learning and growing up as a player.

"Ross has been brilliant for Cardiff and Scotland, so hopefully I can make the same kind of improvement and progress down here as well.

"It is up to me to adjust to the amount of games they play in this league, toughen up and play in as many of them as I can.

"There are so many Scottish boys in the Championship now, the Scotland manager is going to take a big interest in the games here. So it is up to me to perform well and stay in the Scotland squad."

Clarkson has kept in touch with events at Motherwell and believes his old club will reap further benefits from the latest bunch of graduates to the first team under new manager Jim Gannon.

Despite Thursday night's 3-0 defeat against Steaua Bucharest in Romania in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie, Clarkson is confident Gannon's faith in young players such as Ross Forbes and Paul Slane will be rewarded.

"Those kids will have no worries, they will just want to get on the pitch and play," he added. "Motherwell have got some really good young players. It is a good club to learn your trade at and make progress as a player.

"Ross and Paul are ones to look out for. Ross was out injured for a while, but he is a really good central midfielder. He is someone who can be trusted to play in the first team. He is a hard worker who puts everything into training and games.

"The lad Slane is a good winger with quick feet. I've kept tabs on how he has played so far and he seems to have done well. Both Ross and Paul will do well for Motherwell and then can move on in a few years' time. It has been fantastic for the young players to get the chance to play in Europe at this stage of their careers."

• David Clarkson was speaking on behalf of Scotland national team main sponsor, Tennent's Lager.