HUMBLE Morton hero Ryan Mullen surprised Inverclyde's next generation of budding shot stoppers after dropping in for a surprise visit to one of the area's top goalkeeping academies.
The former Celtic kid called in to see scores of youngsters at the Battery Park yesterday, who were taking part in an Easter training camp run by BeNumber1 Coaching.
The camp, organised by Cappielow goalkeeping coach David Scott, attracted nearly 30 students.
Coach Scott said: "We run camps every school holiday and this was our first one of the year and we were lucky enough to have Ryan down.
"He watched the goalkeepers, took in the sessions and was kind enough to give them some bits of advice on how to implement good habits and styles into their game.
"This is a part of my goalkeeping academy that I run on a Monday night at the Battery Park and I think half of the attendees are Morton fans who go along to most games, so to get Ryan down really made that that bit special for them.
"He's a really good lad, a pleasure to coach and I think because of the upbringing that he had at Celtic it helps him. The kids really enjoyed having him down too.
"He's a young goalie who has come through the ranks at Celtic and had to deal with moving on elsewhere to try and get a career in football.
"He's also had to go to extreme lengths to get himself fit again before I recruited him for Morton, which was quite interesting for the kids to hear.
"It was great for them to hear that story, about just how much work and dedication is needed in trying to make it at the top level.
"It also shows you that once you're released by a bigger club it's not the be-all and end-all, you can bounce back and make a good go of it."
Scott has combined his role as Ton goalie coach with his own business for three years now and has been able to offer students the chance to pick up tips from top Championship stoppers like Mullen, Jack Hamilton and Brian Schwake in the process.
He told the Tele: "I'm really fortunate to be in the position that I'm in, coaching at Morton as well as running the academy.
"Last season Brian gave us a load of signed gloves to give away to the kids as prizes. They are always interested in hearing all the stories about the Morton goalies, so on a Monday night I'm able to get them sat down and tell them all about it.
"I was doing this for around ten years before going into Morton, so it's good to progress my career to get to the point I have. But giving back to the local kids has always been a passion of mine and I'm glad to be able to put on events like this."
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