TOM HATELEY has refused to confirm or deny reports he is set to join the exodus from Motherwell and head for Rangers.

Fir Park boss Stuart McCall has not ruled out retaining the player but the successful Steelmen side of the last few seasons is already beginning to break up.

Darren Randolph to Birmingham and Nicky Law – also in talks with the Ibrox club – are confirmed departures but PFA Scotland Player of the Year Michael Higdon is also expected to depart, as are Hateley, James McFadden and Chris Humphrey.

Hateley's father, former Ibrox striker Mark, works in tandem with his agent when it comes to looking after his son's football affairs, and the 23-year-old was reluctant to shed any light on where his future lies.

"I have been trying to just get to the end of the season and leave all the other stuff until then," said Tom.

"I have loved my time at Motherwell, I have learned a lot and I have been able to be a regular part in a side that has enjoyed some fabulous achievements.

"Finishing second again this season is up there with anything I've done here and I think the manager deserves a lot of respect for what he has done on a very modest budget. I don't think too many people would have had us down for staying there.

"But football is all about players coming and going and if it happens that things change a bit this summer then I am sure the manager will still get it right.

"He is a talented coach who knows how to get the best out of his players.

"I don't want to say anything about my future. There has been some interest but I won't say from where and I really don't want to be having to think about it until we've played our final game. Then I can sit down and see what is actually on the table.

"Motherwell have European football again and that is a big thing. But there are a lot of things for me to weight up."

Hateley will also expect to see McFadden move on to a bigger club next season after impressing in Lanarkshire.

THE ex-Scotland star has caught the eye of Celtic boss Neil Lennon, while national boss Gordon Strachan has given him an incentive by telling him to get a good pre-season under his belt.

He netted his fifth goal since returning to Fir Park four months ago in the SPL match against Ross County on Sunday and Hateley believes with every passing game at Well his natural ability has shone through.

"I don't think you can doubt his class," he said. "He has been really good for us and Motherwell have been good for him too. He had a massive amount of time lost because of serious injury and he needed to come and get some game time.

"He has done that, we've loved having him but I am certain that there will be a few clubs looking quite seriously at him because he is hugely talented with a lot of experience behind him.

"I'm sure the gaffer would love to keep him but I think there will be a few options on the table for him."