GRAEME Souness wants to create a siege mentality among his current squad when they return to train at the beginning of July.

"I still think this group of players are far better than they showed last year," said Souness.

"They began last year as favourites, didn't make the best of starts, got heaps of criticism and didn't respond very well to that.

"So it's my job to make sure that next season when the criticism comes -- and I guarantee it will come -- they handle it far better than they did last year.

"We've all got to pull together and stick together when the going gets tough."

Meanwhile, young defender Leam Richardson is still mulling over the offer of a new one-year contract.

The 20-year-old full back is out of contract this summer but Souness has offered him another 12 months to see if he can cut it in the First Division.