"However, it was also clear he still feels there is unfinished business in the SPFL, which was great for us.

"That meant, when an official (offer) did eventually come in during the night, it was a fairly simple one for us to politely reject."

Motherwell's decision on McDonald, who scored 14 goals last season for the club, is a blow for a Wanderers outfit looking to replace the off-season departures of attackers Federico Piovaccari, Mark Bridge, Romeo Castelen and Dario Vidosic.