Motherwell boss: 'Nothing to suggest Max Johnston won't be at Fir Park next season' as he opens up on talks with out of contract stars

Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell insists he has seen nothing to suggest young talent Max Johnston won't be at the club next season.

The 19-year-old defender is out of contract at the end of this term and speculation about him heading for the Fir Park exit door has been rife, with the likes of Italian Serie A side and English Championship outfit Burnley said to be among a host of admirers.

Johnston has been offered a new deal at Fir Park, which he is currently mulling over, and Kettlewell is still holding out hope of keeping one of his prize assets beyond the summer.

Asked if it was realistic that Johnston would remain at Fir Park, Kettlewell said: "There's been nothing to suggest otherwise.

"I've got a really good relationship with Max. He's started every game since I came in and I knew he was a good player before I came in. I had watched him several times playing at Cove during the first part of the season and I watched him round the football club, so I know how good he is - and I am seeing him improve and flourish every time he takes to the pitch.

"There has been an offer made to the player, and I understand that he might want to take time over that, but the simple message to Max was that we need him to go and keep performing how he has been of late, and show how good a player he is.

"Sometimes everything else going on in the background can be a bit of a distraction, but he gets full marks from me with how he has handled himself in this situation.

"I can assure people that we would love to have him here next season."

A whole host of Steelmen stars are out of contract at the end of this season, including midfielders Dean Corenlius, Sean Goss and Barry Devine, as well as defenders Dan Casey, Stephen O'Donnell and Paul