Steven Pienaar pledges future to Everton as Manchester United and Spurs wait in the wings

05 May 2010 08:54
Steven Pienaar is predicting a bright future for Everton and the midfielder insists he wants to be part of it.   [LNB]The South Africa international has been the subject of speculation linking him with other clubs after an outstanding season at Goodison Park.   [LNB]The likes of Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea are all reported to be monitoring the 28-year-old's situation as he enters the final year of his contract.   [LNB] Sticking with the Toffees: Pienaar (left) insists he will be at Everton next season[LNB]Everton are keen to tie the player to a new deal but negotiations have yet to reach a satisfactory conclusion.   [LNB]Pienaar has been one of the Toffees' most influential players throughout their strong showing in the second half of the Barclays Premier League campaign.   [LNB]His efforts earned him the club's player of the year award on Tuesday night and when asked about the future, he said: 'Hopefully we can kick on from here to next season and the coming years.   [LNB]'We have got the potential. The people behind the club really want it to happen and so do the players.'[LNB]When then asked if he wanted to stay to be part of any future success, he added: 'For sure, why not?'   [LNB]Pienaar, who joined Everton from Borussia Dortmund for £2million three years ago, has scored seven goals in 37 appearances in all competitions this season.   [LNB]He missed last week's goalless draw at Stoke with a minor ankle injury but expects to be fit for the final game of the season against Portsmouth on Sunday.   [LNB] National service: Pienaar will soon be heading home to play in the World Cup[LNB]Everton know they will finish eighth in the Barclays Premier League - and therefore short of European qualification - whatever the outcome but are satisfied with that position after a terrible start.   [LNB]Everton were 16th with just 15 points after 14 games but have lost just twice in 23 outings since in a powerful statement.   [LNB]Despite his excellence, Pienaar was keen to deflect praise away from himself.   [LNB]'The whole team has been responsible for our play,' he said. 'We have been giving 120 per cent to show the supporters why they have been spending so much money to watch us. They deserve nice football.'   [LNB]Pienaar will soon turn his attention to the World Cup which is being played in his homeland this summer. He expects it to be a special event.   [LNB]He said: 'Hopefully it is going to be the best World Cup ever - and it is being hosted in South Africa.'[LNB]Everton team-mate Leighton Baines, who is hoping to win a call-up to the England squad, was voted players' player of the year.   [LNB]The left-back has missed just four games for the Merseysiders all season.  [LNB] Stoke 0 Everton 0: Toffees feeling Blue over Europe but Neville is upbeatFergie risks wrath of pal Moyes with move for Everton midfielder PienaarEverton lead Fulham in chase for Paul Scharner as Wigan plan clear-outSportsmail picks its team of the season - but how does it compare with the PFA's?Jagielka confident of securing place in Capello's squad for the World CupEVERTON FC

Source: Daily_Mail