EIGHT FIRST TEAM STARS LEAVE WELL

Robinson begins revamp

acknowledge that. It is never a nice or easy part of the game when people leave, but I have sat down with every one of them to give them my thoughts, which is the least I can do. “I hope to have the first of the new arrivals in the door soon. “I don’t intend to waste any time rebuilding as it’s a big job.” The Well boss is looking to keep Lionel Ainsworth, Russell Griffiths and Keith Lasley at the club as talks are undergoing for contract extensions for the trio. Well veteran Lasley admits he would love to play a part next season – whether it was on or off the pitch. He said: “I’ve spoken about it before and I couldn’t think about anything else other than staying up. “It means too much personally and I know how much it means to everyone else. “When you get to my age you take it on a year by year basis but we’ll see what the best way forward is. “I certainly would love to be at this football club

next year, there’s no doubt about that. It’s been an absolute privilege to play for this football club, to play in front of those fans, but let’s wait and see what happens.

“We all know how much this football club means – not only to the players who are lucky enough to play for it – but it’s the fans and the whole community.

“We know how important it is to have this football club in the top division because there’s so much good work going on off the field.

“But the primary driver for that work is being in the Premiership and giving a good account of ourselves.

“We’ve managed to keep that status which is fantastic but we have to build on everything now.”

Robinson’s rebuilding job suffered an early blow as target Alan Mannus signed a new deal with St Johnstone as the goalkeeper was linked with Well.

Motherwell also look set to have a battle on their hands to keep star striker Louis Moult at the club.

Negotiations are set to start as the Steelmen are looking to bat away interest from Rangers as well as clubs in England.

It is believed Motherwell will look for £500,000 for Moult – who has one year left on his contract – as well as a loan deal from the Ibrox club for Michael O’Halloran in return for the 18-goal forward.