DARREN Hynes is hoping to impress for Morton’s reserve team as their campaign gets under way against Falkirk today.

The Ton begin the new-look competition against the Bairns this afternoon, with the Greenock side in the top tier, which comprises 18 teams.

It will be head of development squad John Sutton’s first competitive game in charge as well since joining the club back in May.

Morton manager Ray McKinnon will be in attendance at the Falkirk Stadium, as he watches over some of his squad members who are likely to be involved.

Hynes, who is likely to start against the Bairns today, is hoping to catch the manager’s eye with his performances in the Reserve League this season.

He told the Tele: “Ray’s been really good since he came in, he helps the young boys a lot and he’s giving us a chance.

“He’s said if we’re playing well with the reserves and catch his eye that we’ll get a chance in the first team, so that’s motivating me to do well and hopefully get an opportunity in the first team.”

Hynes made his first team debut on the last day of the campaign last season against Inverness Caley Thistle, after impressing for the under-20s.

He was a part of the squad last season that went on to win the Development League West.

The 18-year-old expects it to be tougher in the reserves, where he will likely play against more experienced opposition.

He added: “Because it’s reserves now as well, there could be a few first team players in against us, and it’s always better playing against experienced players.

“It’ll be a bigger challenge and it’ll be exciting to play against some of the bigger teams, the players who don’t play will be in the reserves.”

Hynes has been involved in several of Morton’s pre-season friendlies this year, as well as coming off the bench against Albion Rovers in the League Cup.

He was one of several younger players involved last Tuesday against Dumbarton in the Irn-Bru Cup, playing the full match.

The defender believes there are a couple of big differences he’s found between the first team and under-20s football.

He said: “The speed of the game is a lot quicker and you’ve got a lot less time to react on and off the ball as well.

“There is the mental side of it as well, you’re playing against more clever and trickier players, and the physicality of the players as well so you have to stay switched on.

“Hopefully with the more chances I get, the better I’ll get.”

The young right-back hasn’t thought about going out on loan this season, and wants to fight to get into the first team.

He added: “I’ve been involved in the first team at the start of the season and that’s where I want to be involved.

“I’ve just got to keep trying to improve and if I get another chance I’ll hopefully take it with both hands.”