Keeper Connor Ripley would consider Motherwell loan return

Connor Ripley would not rule out a return to Motherwell next season if Middlesbrough do not believe he is ready to push for their number-one spot.

The goalkeeper has impressed and improved during his loan spell at Fir Park, helping Motherwell seal a top-six place in the Premiership.

The 23-year-old's ambition remains to follow in the footsteps of his father, Stuart Ripley, and become a first-team regular for Boro, but he appreciates he may have to go out on loan again next season.

When asked what lies ahead for him, Ripley said: "I don't have a clue. Middlesbrough have said to me to go out on loan and get experience.

"They are pushing for the Premier League and they need an experienced goalkeeper. I've got games now and they can't say I'm not experienced so that's good for me.

"But if they don't think I'm there yet then I will probably go back out on loan somewhere for another season and do my thing there, then hopefully get in the team for Middlesbrough."

When asked whether he would return for another season under Mark McGhee, he added: "If he wants me back and everything is all right, and I don't think there will be any other team, then of course I would, but preferably I would like to stay in England, closer to my family and my home really.

"But, let's be honest, I don't think I would turn Motherwell down.

"I have loved it, I really have. The club is amazing, the people that run it are amazing, the players and staff have all welcomed me here and I've learnt a lot.

"I knew a bit about Motherwell because (former Middlesbrough team-mates) Scott McDonald and Stephen McManus were here, so if they were on the TV then I'd watch it. But I didn't know the history and it's a bigger club than I thought it was going to be, and I'm happy I got the chance to play for them.

"It has helped me massively. It's my first proper season. I have had half a season in Sweden and games here and there, but I feel you need a full season under your belt. To play in the Premiership in Scotland and to play every single game has benefited me a lot."

Motherwell begin their post-split fixtures at home to Hearts, but no longer have the carrot of a potential European place for finishing fourth following Celtic's William Hill Scottish Cup exit.

"The first target was to see if we could finish in the Europa League, but unfortunately that's not possible," Ripley said.

"But we need to finish as high as possible. We don't want to be one of those teams where we say, 'We're safe now, we don't have to work as hard as we can'.

"It gives us more freedom really, where we are not looking behind us and not worrying about other teams leaping over us. Hopefully we can play like that and show we are a good side and deserve to be in the top six."