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Pienaar: I'll work to regain acceptance

Steven Pienaar is under no illusions that his return to Goodison Park after leaving the club for Tottenham a year ago will be greeted with universal acceptance, but he is committed to proving his worth to Everton all over again.

The South African became a fan favourite in his first three years with the Blues and formed a formidable partnership with Leighton Baines down the left flank.

The lure of Champions League football and a chance to play at Europe's highest level at the peak of his career ultimately trumped the comfort he felt with Everton, though, and he signed for Spurs in January 2011 for £2.5m.

A year and a handful of appearances later and the Johannesburg-born midfielder was casting his gaze elsewhere in search of first team football. A move to QPR broke down and it looked as though Harry Redknapp would block an attempt by David Moyes to re-sign Pienaar on transfer deadline day, only to make an eleventh-hour u-turn and permit a six-month loan.

Now the 29 year-old is back in familiar surroundings and determined to win over any fans still bearing a grudge for the manner of his departure for North London.

"When I came back in this morning the lads welcomed me with open arms," he says. "[I]t's a good feeling and like coming back home. I understand if the fans are angry. It's part of football. One moment you're playing for a club and everyone supports you and the next you just walk out. It's like walking out of your child's life.

"To get the acceptance back you have to work and show that you do deserve to be forgiven. Hopefully if I can score a goal in the derby then the guys will forgive me."

Quotes or other material sourced from The Guardian

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