CONOR GRANT is out to repay Motherwell for helping him win a new deal at Everton - by keeping them in the SPFL Premiership.

The 20-year-old midfielder has been on loan from Goodison Park since January as he looked to impress enough to earn a contract extension beyond the summer.

Youth development chief Joe Royle has been up several times to watch him in action, including his debut in Dingwall back in February when he scored a 25-yard free-kick.

Earlier this week the Toffees offered Grant another year as a reward for his efforts in claret and amber over the past few months despite the Steelmen facing a relegation play-off with either Hibernian or Rangers.

And now his future is secure, grateful Grant is keen to thank Motherwell for the opportunity to impress and ensure their 30-year stint in the Scottish top-flight does not come to a halt next weekend.

He said: "I've just been offered another year this week, which I'm happy about, but at the moment my head is fully focused on Motherwell and helping them stay up.

"It's nice to get a reward for my hard work and that has to carry on over the next week or so, then I'll have a break in the summer before going again.

"I'm not sure if first-team coach Duncan Ferguson will be up watching me - he might be on holiday after a long season."

Grant added: "Motherwell and the manager Ian Baraclough gave me a chance and that's all I wanted. I hope I've done well for the club.

"I feel I could have done better, but I also think I did quite well. I'm happy with how it's gone, but I'll not be happy if we get relegated."

Many in the Motherwell dressing room will be dreading coming up against Rangers and former manager Stuart McCall.

But for Grant, who has spent his career progressing through the age groups at Everton, he has a similar fear about coming up against Alan Stubbs' Hibs.

"It could be Hibs, but we'll just need to wait and see," said Grant ahead of today's dead rubber against Partick Thistle at Fir Park.

"I could be up against Alan Stubbs, who is my old coach, so it could be interesting!

"Today is another game for us to try and bounce back from last week and build some momentum.

"We have two important games next week, and this one against Partick Thistle is just as vital in making sure we are in the right frame of mind going into the play-off final."