Friday, April 19, 2024
SportScottish ChampionshipEx-Motherwell and Ross County defender 'open' to staying at Dumbarton beyond January

Ex-Motherwell and Ross County defender ‘open’ to staying at Dumbarton beyond January

BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport

Steven Saunders has revealed he could be about to commit his shot-term future to Dumbarton.

The former Motherwell and Ross County defender earned the Sons a point at the weekend with a last-gasp equaliser in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Livingston, taking his side’s unbeaten run to four games.

Dumbarton FC
Saunders could extend his stay at ‘the Rock’

The 24-year-old joined the Championship outfit in September on a short-term deal that expires next month and has revealed no talks have yet taken place over an extension.

But, having now scored three times in eight appearances, the former Scotland under-21 international is enjoying his football and admits he would be open to staying on.

He said: “We’ve got a very good squad. We’ve got a lot of boys who should possibly still be full-time.

“I played with Darren Barr at Ross County and obviously Frazer Wright spent 10 years in the SPL, so it’s good boys you’re playing with.

“I would love to be back full-time but nothing happened in the summer and the gaffer here gave me a chance.

“I haven’t spoken about what will happen in January, with Dumbarton or anyone else.

Open

“But I’m open to staying, yes. I’m playing football, that is the biggest thing, playing football week-in, week-out.

“As a footballer that’s the biggest thing – whether you’re full-time or part-time, as long as you’re playing you’re happy.”

Dumbarton’s draw ensures they are still three points ahead of eighth-placed St Mirren after two previous victories in their last three league games.

However, with a six-point gap over Livingston in second-bottom spot and a 10-point advantage over bottom side Alloa Athletic, Saunders insists it is Queen of the south four points ahead in sixth they are now targeting.

He added: “When we looked at the fixtures and we were coming up against Alloa, St Mirren and Livingston, we wanted nine points – but seven is the next best thing. We’re happy with that from three games.

“We’re looking up the way, that’s the way we’re looking now. With seven points from the last three games, we should be looking up.

“We’re looking towards Queen of the South, that’s the way football works.

“A couple of weeks ago we were looking down and thinking we needed to pick up points but now we’re looking at Queen of the South above us.”

@IainCollin

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