Everton FC News: Steven Pienaar dismisses talk of his Goodison exit

Mar 10 2010 by James Pearce, Liverpool Daily Post

Everton FC News: STEVEN PIENAAR has dismissed reports that he could leave Everton this summer.

The South Africa international’s fine form so far this season has attracted interest from a number of top European clubs.

German side Bayern Munich have been heavily linked with a move for the midfielder but Pienaar insists he is happy at Goodison Park.

“I can’t say anything because I wasn’t approached,” said Pienaar, who has just over a year remaining on his current deal.

“From my point of view, I’m an Everton player and I don’t want stuff like that to distract me from what I’m doing.

“It is speculation.

“When you play well, there will always be talk of interest from clubs. I’m happy at Everton.”

Pienaar is focused on helping Everton mount a late push for Europa League qualification and then his thoughts will turn to this summer’s World Cup in his homeland.

The 27-year-old, who cost Everton just £2million when they snapped him up from Borussia Dortmund after an initial loan spell two years ago, is a key member of the South Africa side.

“The good thing is I’m a regular at Everton, which means I will keep fit anyway,” he added.

“I have been working very hard since I returned from injury. I will be fit when called upon by the national team.”

Meanwhile, goalkeeper John Ruddy believes his future now lies away from Everton.

The 23-year-old, who is on a season-long loan at Motherwell, expects to fall further down the pecking order following the recent signing of Jan Mucha.

The Slovakia international keeper will join number one Tim Howard and Iain Turner at Goodison next season.

“I’ve resigned myself to the fact that my time at Everton is at an end,” Ruddy said.

“But I’ve enjoyed it and I’ve got nothing bad to say about them. I’d prefer to go back down south. My family are living around Cambridge so I’d prefer to go down towards that area, but we’ll have to look at what comes up this summer and weigh up the options.”

Ruddy has impressed so far this season and Celtic are believed to be interested in his services.

But he added: “That’s the first I’ve heard of it to be honest.

“You always take things like that with a pinch of salt.

“When you’re doing okay you tend to get speculation about clubs interested, but until someone sticks a contract in my face I don’t read much into it.”