Fir Park stay a fine starter for Heneghan
BEN HENEGHAN says he is happy to remain at Motherwell next season despite being linked with a summer switch to Rangers.
The centre-half has been one of several targets, along with team-mate Louis Moult, reportedly on the radar of Pedro Caixinha to bolster his squad for a Premiership push.
Going from Chester last season to a potential move to the Glasgow giants would be a massive leap for the former Everton kid, but Heneghan insists he remains focused on having a more prosperous season at Fir Park next time out.
“As far as I know, I’m a Motherwell player. We’ll see what happens over the summer,” he said.
“But I’ll be back in here pre-season, as far as I know. It’s nice to have the recognition but it’s not coming from me.
“There hasn’t been any contact with me. I just keep my head focused. If something happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, I’m happy.
“It would be some leap from non-league, you could look at it that way. But I just keep my head down, enjoy my summer and get ready for pre-season.
“They’re huge clubs, known worldwide. But until I know any different I’m here at Motherwell. I’ve got another year on my deal. I’ve had a chat. But until I hear anything concrete I’m still here.”
Motherwell’s season finished in typical fashion given how the last 12 months have unfolded.
Safe from the drop thanks to a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock on Tuesday, a 3-2 defeat in Inverness on Saturday to Richie Foran’s relegated side left a disappointing taste in the mouth.
Manager Stephen Robinson blasted his players for celebrating their late consolation, and Heneghan echoed his gaffer’s thoughts.
He said: “It’s a shocking way to finish the season. I’m so disappointed with that.
“For whatever reason, a few lads switched off. I suppose it happens. The main thing is we’re safe. But it is disappointing to finish with a loss.
“In my head, I don’t think I ever take it easy. I can’t speak for everyone but I go out to win every game.
“As a defender, I don’t want to concede goals. And it was a shocking five-minute spell.
“You’ve got to have the attitude that, if you lose, it’s a disaster. That should be drilled into you. So losing is a disaster here.”
Returning to his intentions for next season, Heneghan is confident Motherwell will be destined for greater things.
“It’s been a frustrating season,” he added. “But I’m just happy to have played so many games.
“I’ve played in 44, missed only one, so I’m happy with that. But, where we finished in the league, that’s nowhere near good enough.
“I’m 100-per-cent convinced we’ll be stronger next year. We’ll see who the gaffer brings in and what happens. We have to focus on building and start afresh.
“When I joined, I just wanted to get in the team and play as many games as I could. I’m learning a lot and I’m happy with the amount of games I’ve played.”