MORTON kid Alex McWaters says he hopes his loan deal to Largs Thistle can be a stepping stone for him to return and burst onto the first-team scene at Cappielow.

McWaters, 18, has signed for the West Super League Premier Division team until January and believes the move can only do him good in his bid to get acquainted with a more competitive level than the development league he currently plays in.

He told the Tele: "I'm really looking forward to getting a good experience at a really high level of junior football. It'll be good to gain experience playing against big junior teams and crowds, and playing against men instead of boys, or under 20's.

"If I'm scoring goals, hopefully he [Jim Duffy] takes an interest, looks at my form and keeps tabs on how I'm doing and I can come back from my loan and play.

"It will show that I can go out and play against men and how I deal with a different type of football. Playing against a lot of experienced players, maybe even some ex-pros and people who have generally played football for a longer time rather than the usual 17-year-old on a Tuesday night."

Ton have already promoted a number of former development squad prospects including McWaters' pal Scott Tiffoney.

The teen sees that as the perfect motivation for him to try and play his way into the Morton line-up, via Largs.

He continued: "I played a lot for the gaffer in pre-season and he's given my friend Scott a chance that he's taken well. I've got to just go out and prove myself while I'm playing at Thistle."