Falkirk defender Lewis Neilson is determined to turn a season of setbacks into a triumphant finish, as the 22-year-old eyes both a European push and clarity on his future.

After an ankle injury that required surgery sidelined him for a significant chunk of the campaign, Neilson is finally back in the starting conversation. He's expected to feature against Motherwell this Saturday in the Premiership, with just four games remaining on his loan deal from Hearts.

“I’m out of contract in the summer, so it’s hard not to think about the future,” Neilson admitted. “But my main focus is to finish the season as strongly as possible. That’ll put me in the best position, whatever happens next.”

The central defender has been a key figure when fit, having played every minute before his injury in October. Now, he's focused on helping Falkirk close the gap to fifth-place Hibs to just two points—a crucial step in their late-season surge for a European spot.

“We’ve still got one eye set on fifth place,” Neilson said. “If we can get a win against Motherwell, that sets us up perfectly for Hibs the week after.”

While his future remains uncertain, Neilson is open to staying with Falkirk beyond his loan. “It’s something I’d be open to, but we haven’t discussed it yet. I’ll focus on finishing strong, and hopefully that leads to those conversations.”

For a player who has watched his Hearts teammates chase the title from afar, the decision to move to Falkirk has proven to be the right one for his development. Now, with a European dream still alive and a summer of decisions ahead, Neilson is determined to end this season on a high note—both for his team and his career.