CHRIS Millar says he always knew team-mate Lewis Strapp was destined for big things after being his youth coach at Morton

The 35-year-old used to train Morton under-15s, with the young full-back a standout even from a young age. 

The defender made his Morton debut aged 16, and impressed on loan last season at Elgin City. 

Dunoon-born Strapp joined the youth academy upon its inception in 2012, and has remained at the club since. 

Millar believes there is more to come from the youngster if he can kick on and nail down a starting spot in the team. 

He told the Tele: “It’s funny looking back how I had Strappy when I was with the under-15s.

“He was always one we had earmarked. 

“We thought he had a good chance: great engine, great left peg and a good professional as well.

“Obviously for me being away for the last few years and seeing him from when he was with the under-15s he’s now developed into a young modern full-back.

“He’s got great potential — all the things I thought he was good at he’s fulfilled and now it’s just a case of him trying to get as many first team games as possible and learning about the game as quickly as possible.”

However, in their first day back at pre-season training this summer it took some time for Strapp to adjust to Millar now being his team-mate at Cappielow.

Millar added: “I’m okay about it but I think he was a bit weird about it when I first came in.

“Everybody calls me Midge, but for the first day he was a bit nervous and tentative around me, and calling me Chris, he was too formal, I’m not his coach anymore!

“But it’s great for me though, seeing someone you’ve coached has progressed on.

“I got a real buzz out of it so for me there was no weirdness, I was just happy to see how well he was doing and he’s developed into a very good footballer.”

The midfielder hasn’t coached in several years, but says it might be something to consider in the future if the right opportunity came about.

He added: “If a situation or opportunity does arise that I could go into coaching I would love to do it.

“I like to think about the game a bit and I’m somebody on the park who tries to be a leader and talks boys through games

“But it’s all about opportunities and there’s a lot of people who want to get into coaching.

“Right now I just want to focus on doing well for Morton, but if it came about it would be something I’d look at.”