Aldred encourages players in England to sample Scottish top flight
Tom Aldred has urged footballers from south of the border to rejuvenate their career in the Premiership as he sets to bow out at Motherwell.
The 28- year- old defender ends an 18- month loan spell from Bury against Livingston at Fir Park today. Aldred is out of contract and has attracted several suitors with an offer from Brisbane Roar in Australia reportedly on the table.
Aldred, who started out at Carlisle with spells at Accrington and Blackpool among several other clubs, has enjoyed the experience at the Lanarkshire club since first driving up “on a cold, wet January” and would encourage others to move north of the border.
He said: “I have an amazing 18- month period, started over 60 games for the club which is some good numbers but it is time for me to move on.
“I t has opened up a win
Aldred: ‘ Amazing’ time.
dow f or me t hat probably wouldn’t have opened if I had stayed in England. Some of the offers are far afield which I am guessing come because I have been playing in the top league in Scotland. It is a lot better than League One and Two in England.
“If I could advise anyone in England who gets the opportunity to come up here to a club like Motherwell – come and prove yourself against some top calibre players and you will get the opportunity to go elsewhere.”
Meanwhile, Gary Holt has urged his Livingston players to remove the shackles and enjoy their “showcase game”.
The stakes are low for the final Premiership encounter, with Livi guaranteed ninth place, and boss Holt has told his players to take advantage of the stress- free environment against a Motherwell side that has handed out thousands of free tickets to children to boost the attendance.
Holt said: “It’s probably a game that both teams don’t need but it’s also a chance to go and play and just enjoy the game, no stress from the fans and no stress of what we are trying to achieve.
“Go and play, this is like a showcase game. Play with a smile on your face, work hard because that is first and foremost for us, and hopefully sign off with a win.”