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Page last updated at 13:42 GMT, Sunday, 31 May 2009 14:42 UK

Lovell eyes Bairns contract talks

Stuart Lovell fires in a shot during the Scottish Cup final
Goalscoring chances for Lovell were limited against Rangers at Hampden

Steve Lovell - one of 14 out-of-contract players - faces an uncertain future with Falkirk despite playing his part in a fine cup final display.

The striker is one of several Falkirk players who will have discussions with manager John Hughes on Monday morning.

"I am out of contract like a lot of the boys and I'm not sure who is staying and who is going," said the 28-year-old after the Scottish Cup loss to Rangers.

"I don't see why I shouldn't stay, I've enjoyed every minute of being here."

Former Dundee striker Lovell signed from Aberdeen last summer and played 33 times, scoring 10 goals, as Falkirk ended the season by avoiding relegation from the Scottish Premier League before losing out 1-0 in the final.

"We stayed up on the last day of the season and we got to a cup final and another semi-final, so things couldn't have gone better," he said.

"There are young players coming through. Guys like Scott Arfield and Tam Scobbie are brilliant and there are other young players who weren't even playing at Hampden.

I was disappointed in my performance in the final, but I thought the boys were outstanding

Falkirk striker Steve Lovell

"It has always been that way at Falkirk and so the future looks bright."

Like most of the Falkirk players who saw the cup won for Rangers by a spectacular Nacho Novo goal seconds after the break, Lovell left Hampden nursing a huge sense of frustration.

The Bairns dominated for long spells at Hampden, but Rangers held on to secure the league and cup double, leaving Falkirk still looking for their first Scottish Cup final victory since 1957.

"It was hugely frustrating because it was the best we had played in a long time," said Lovell

"If we had played like that all season, we wouldn't have been sitting near the bottom.

"But we can walk away knowing we were the better team.

"We didn't create a lot of chances, but we were the better team.

"On a personal note, I was disappointed in my performance, but I thought the boys were outstanding."



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see also
Hughes proud of beaten finalists
30 May 09 |  Falkirk
Christie quits as Bairns chairman
30 May 09 |  Falkirk
Smith crowned Homecoming king
30 May 09 |  Scottish Cups
Rangers 1-0 Falkirk
30 May 09 |  Scottish Cups


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