A MORTON starlet playing with the club's youth academy has rejected an approach from Celtic, the Tele can exclusively reveal.

Lewis Strapp, a 13-year-old left-back from Dunoon who plays with the Ton Under-14s, has been monitored by Parkhead scouts, including former Ton defender Owen Archdeacon.

Celtic were impressed by his progress and approached Morton head of youth Derek Anderson about taking the teenager on trial, and he, in turn, referred the Glasgow side to Strapp's parents.

The offer was snubbed, however, due to the fact that Strapp, who is currently involved in try-outs for Scotland's under-14 side, is loving life with the Ton and had no interest in moving elsewhere.

Anderson told the Tele: "I was down at Inverclyde Academy watching the Under-14s and Mick Murphy, one of the guys in charge of the scouts at Celtic, was there watching.

"I asked him if he was down to watch Lewis Strapp, because I knew Lewis was doing well and had just impressed at the Scotland trials, and he said that he was.

"He asked what I thought of Lewis going into Celtic for a week on trial. I'd never deny any boy that opportunity, so I spoke to Lewis's mum, Suzanne.

"I told her that Celtic were interested and wanted to get him in for a couple of weeks to have a look at him.

"But she said: 'No, he's not going in, Derek. If they want to watch him, tell them to come and watch him playing for Morton.' "She told me that Lewis has never been happier with his football. He's delighted with it, his school's going great and that they were pleased with the work we were doing with him.

"His dad's also a Tartan Army Scotland fan and would love to see him play for Scotland. His trial with the Scotland Under-14s proved that he doesn't have to play with the Old Firm to get noticed.

"That was music to my ears, so I went back to Celtic to say that he wouldn't be coming up to Lennoxtown.

"They've asked us to keep them informed if anyone else tries to come in to sign him to let them know.

"We'll do that, but we're hoping that Lewis makes it right the way through the academy and plays for the Morton first-team before possibly moving on to a higher level."