Morris still in dark over next move

It is expected that the former Chelsea midfielder will return to England. However, following yesterday’s 4-0 defeat to Rangers, Morris explained that nothing has been decided after four enjoyable years spent in Scotland. He also expressed some disappointment that he has not yet been offered a new deal by the Perth club.

“Over the next week or so I will be sorting out my future,” he said. “Whether it is here or somewhere else I don’t know because I have nothing definite. The manager [Steve Lomas] has been top drawer and he has told me he wants to keep me and he wants to offer me a deal. The chairman [Steve Brown] thinks I am definitely going to leave and he is waiting for me to say I definitely want to stay, and then he would offer me. I’m not sure if that is the right way around. We have to wait and see.”

Lomas, meanwhile, has admitted that European football could be a mixed blessing for his side, who will qualify for the earliest Europa League rounds if Hearts beat Hibs to win the Scottish Cup this weekend. It would mean playing ties in mid-July, with the players only due back from their summer break at the end of June.

This could present Lomas with a considerable problem since he has so many players coming out of contract this summer. As many as five of those who started yesterday’s 4-0 defeat against Rangers are likely to leave the club. Lomas estimated he needs to bring in as many as 13 players.

“It will be massive re-building job in the summer,” he said. “I might not have a team. I might have to put out the youth boys,” he said of the prospect of an early return for European football.

“It’s going to be a busy summer for myself and the chairman. Fran [Sandaza] will go, and the likelihood is that Jody will go. Chris [Millar] has turned down a two-year deal. We are sitting with just ten players signed for next season.”