Reynolds insists the Fir Park players are hungry for European football

Motherwell defender Mark Reynolds is putting talk of a move away from Fir Park out of his mind as he focuses on helping the Steelmen up the league.

"We've put a run of game together since Christmas and we've now put ourselves back in contention for a European place," said the 21-year-old.

"I think if we can keep our performances up, we'll be in the mix come the end of the season."

Reynolds added: "If we make the top six, then it'll be all to play for."

It would be stretching it to describe Motherwell's dalliance with European football this season as a "campaign", as they lost home and away to French side AS Nancy in the first round of the Uefa Cup.

But for Reynolds, a product of the Motherwell youth system, it's just the sort of attraction that makes him and his team-mates want to dig deep to finish third or fourth in the Scottish Premier League.

"European football's definitely a big carrot to dangle in front of anybody," the centre-half told BBC Scotland.

"That's what kept a lot of the boys here last season who had inclinations of going elsewhere, and the boys have tasted that now.

"It's something you would love to have every year; it would help us kick on in the league."

Reynolds has already played 35 times for Mark McGhee's side this season and is pleased to have rediscovered the form that enticed Rangers to offer a £750,000 bid for his services last summer, and that put him on the radar of other clubs.

He admitted: "I took a bit of dip after Christmas, whether that was from the interest or from a bit more scrutiny from the media, because you're no longer just a player at Motherwell, you're now a £1m target.

Like every player I want to progress and whether that is at the Old Firm or down south is yet to be seen Mark Reynolds

"That changes your perspective and the way people look at you.

"But I've played consistently well, so I'm quite happy with my development working under the gaffer and Scott Leitch so hopefully I can kick on and help the boys finish in third or fourth place."

While Reynolds feels that observers no longer cut him as much slack as he would get before the big-money bid from Rangers, he nevertheless reckons the attention is good preparation for a move away from Fir Park.

"It's great for me because that's the sort of pressure you need to play under, so for me to take that step and develop is great," he said.

"I've said before that I was happy at Motherwell. I've played over 120 games here.

"Like every player I want to progress and whether that is at the Old Firm or down south is yet to be seen.

"Certainly every player wants to improve. If something happened, I'd need to look and see what the best move is for me."

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