STEVEN LAWLESS has hailed his move to Athletic as one that has got him enjoying football again.

But the 30-year-old midfielder insists that any thoughts over where his long-term future may lie will only commence at the end of the season as he strives to keep the Pars in the Championship.

Ahead of yesterday's game with Ayr United, Lawless was adamant that focusing on trying to help the Pars to safety was his number one priority.

The former Partick Thistle and Motherwell player was Hughes’ first signing in December, penning a deal until the end of the season.

Speaking to Press Sport ahead of the defeat to Kilmarnock last weekend, he described how he was enjoying playing with the Pars.

But, when asked if his focus was on this season rather than thinking about what will happen in the summer, he said: “That was the thought process in it.

“I knew the situation Dunfermline were in, I knew the type of style they want to play, and I thought it would suit me.

“I’ve got my own aims and my own targets. The aim was to keep Dunfermline in the league, take it from there and enjoy my football again.

“I’m really enjoying my football again so, like I said, if we stay in the league, that’s a success, and that’s the main focus just now. That’s the only focus to be quite honest with you, and then we’ll reassess in the summer.

“I’ve enjoyed it. I’d obviously enjoy winning more games; we’ve won a few, but only lost a few as well. It makes a lot of difference when you’re going in and enjoying training, the style of play, and it actually suits you.

“I think the style of play really suits me down to a tee to be honest; it’s total football, really, on the deck, and it brings a lot of my qualities out.”

Lawless continued: “I think it suits me best and I enjoy playing this way.

“That was a big pull for me coming here because I knew the style of play and it’s about enjoying my football.

“I’m only 30. I know I’ve got more than a few years left in me, I’m still fit, but I had a few years there where it was just about results, and I wasn’t really enjoying the day-to-day of it.

“I’m really enjoying that side of it, and I think a lot of the boys are exactly the same.

“You can enjoy football as much as possible but there needs to be a balance. You need to be enjoying the style of play as much as possible but you also need to be getting results.

“I think a lot of the teams down the bottom have started picking up points around the same time as us, which has been unfortunate, but it’s in our hands.

“We’ve actually been quite good at home, especially from when I’ve come in. I don’t think we’ve actually been beaten, so we’ve got a good record at home, and the fans are obviously a massive part of that.

“I’ve certainly felt it when we’ve built a bit of momentum at home. Hopefully, we can continue that because the games we’ve got left at home are massive between now and the end of the season.”