Motherwell star wants solid end to the season as he eyes new contract

Daily Record

02-05-2025

Canadian international Harry Paton hopes to extend his stay at Fir Park
Motherwell winger Harry Paton hopes to impress in the last four games of the season, earn a new deal at Fir Park and get a solid pre-season behind him to kick-start into the new campaign.
In the meantime, the Canadian international hopes to help Motherwell finish seventh in the Premiership, top of the bottom six, with a win at Dundee on Saturday.
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That would put the Steelmen eight points clear of their hosts with nine to play for, all-but keeping them in the division for next season.
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When asked if Motherwell can finish seventh, Paton said: 'Yeah, definitely. I think with the way the manager has come in and kind of getting the points that he's wanting us to do, you can see there's improvements there. I definitely think so.
'Looking forward to next season, being in the best position we can be at the moment would really benefit the team for next year, that would be great.
'I think, looking back, it was really unfortunate [not to be in the top six]. We put it on the line for the last game, it was kind of our of our hands, but we did everything we could to get to that top six.
'Our goal now is to be top of that pile, and just finish the season really strong.'
Paton has targeted a place in Canada's squad for the home World Cup next year and hopes he can get there while plying his trade in Lanarkshire.
When asked about his contract situation, Paton said: 'I'm up at the end of the year. There's an option there.
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'I just want to focus on the rest of the season and finish on a strong note.
'It's a little bit out of my hands, but I'm hoping to keep doing my thing, and hopefully see what happens.
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'But I've really enjoyed my time here, and I would love to extend it, 100 per cent.
'You can see the aspirations oft he new management team coming in, how close we were to the top six this year, and definitely the goals will be increasing next year, and from a personal note, I've really enjoyed it, the league really suits my style.
'Also, tying in with Canada, that's a big aspiration for myself next year with the home World Cup in Canada.
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'That's a goal I want to achieve, and definitely if I'm here, I can definitely have a good shot at getting in there.
'That's a long way, obviously. I have to do a lot of grafting, get my head down and keep working hard, but [being at Motherwell] would give me a good opportunity, I think.
'That's what my goal is going to be for next year.'
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Paton has been blighted with injuries in each of the last two seasons, and last year had a chance of getting into the Canada squad for the Copa America.
He said: 'I think it was the end of last season, just before the Copa America, I just got a really bad injury and then started off the season really well with the cup and was really looking forward to the season.
'My ankle needed surgery, so it has kind of been a hampered season for me.
'But, looking back, I've played quite a few games this year and if I can finish off and get a good run of games, really get me into my form, I think I could end on a positive.
'Pre-season is huge, yeah. And I'm actually interested to see where the management team will bring in for pre-season. It's going to be different. Maybe we'll go away somewhere, and it'll be interesting to see the kind of runs he has planned for us.'