Ruddy admits Everton defeat

Ruddy: Admits Everton defeat

I've resigned myself to the fact that my time at Everton is at an end, but I've enjoyed it and I've got nothing bad to say about them.

Ruddy on Everton
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Motherwell's on-loan ace John Ruddy has conceded his Everton career is almost certainly over following the signing of Jan Mucha.

The Slovakia international joins Tim Howard and Iain Turner at Goodison Park next season and Ruddy believes competition for places means his future lies elsewhere.

Ruddy is currently impressing on a season-long loan at Fir Park and his consistent displays, which have helped Well climb the SPL table, have not gone unnoticed elsewhere.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to Scottish giants Celtic, although the talented keeper is treating the paper talk as pure speculation.

Ruddy concedes that that staying with Motherwell would be a more attractive proposition should the club secure Europa League football, however, no decision will be made until the summer.

New signing

When asked if he sees a future for himself at Goodison Park, he told Sky Sports News: "No, not now. Not now they've signed another keeper.

"Next season they'll have two keepers, myself and Iain Turner. So I can't see myself playing unless there are injuries or suspensions.

"I've resigned myself to the fact that my time at Everton is at an end, 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.

"That's the first I've heard of it to be honest," he added on Celtic's reported interest. "You always take with a pinch of salt anyway so, but I didn't read too much into that.

"I've not heard anything (from Celtic). When you're doing OK you tend to get speculation about clubs interested, but until someone sticks a contract in my face I don't read much into it.

"Motherwell aren't the biggest club in the SPL, but they aren't the smallest either. The club has a big pull and that's one of the reasons why I joined in the summer. If they did get into Europe then that's something I'd have to think about."

Praise

Ruddy worked with ex-manager Jim Gannon during his time at Stockport and while he is thankful for him bringing him to the SPL he has praised the job done by new management duo Craig Brown and Archie Knox.

The former Cambridge United youngster feels Brown's decision to adopt a consistent back four has benefited all concerned by bringing continuity to the backline.

"I worked with Gannon before at Stockport and he gave me a chance," he continued. "I always got along with him. Perhaps his man-management let him down slightly.

"I think that's something that Craig Brown and Archie Knox have brought to the club. They know how to deal with players, how to speak to them and how to make them feel part of the team when they are not in their plans.

"They've added consistency as well with the starting line-up. I think in the last 10 games we've had the same back four. That says what they are all about. It's all about consistency."