Published: Thursday, 8th July, 2010 2:00pm

Ryan still hoping for top team deal

CONTRACT: Ryan McWilliams.

RYAN McWilliams is desperate to secure a new contract at Morton after getting his first tantalising taste of top-team football last season.

The 20-year-old goalkeeper was released by Ton at the start of the last campaign but the club then re-signed him on an amateur contract when both Colin Stewart and Kevin Cuthbert picked up injuries.

Bryn Halliwell was brought in as emergency cover but he broke down in the warm-up in the second league game of the season against Dunfermline.

McWilliams went on to make four appearances — against the East End Park side, Ayr and Partick Thistle in the league and Kilmarnock in the CIS Insurance Cup .

However, the transition from amateur terms to a full-time contract failed to materialise when Davie Irons was sacked in September.

He explained: "I joined the youth ranks at Morton after coming through an open trial a couple of years ago.

"At the start of last season I was told I wasn't needed for the senior squad but then all the goalkeepers got injured and Morton signed me on an amateur contract.

"I made my debut against Dunfermline and went on to play four games. I was due to get a deal then Davie Irons got sacked and I ended up staying on an amateur contract."

McWilliams remains on amateur terms and has taken on a job and started a university course to make ends meet and secure his longer-term prospects.

However, he still dreams of making it as a full-time professional and is hopeful new Ton boss Allan Moore will deal him in when he finalises his squad numbers for next season.

He said: "I'm still waiting to hear if I'll be offered a contract.

"The new manager has spoken to all the young boys as a group and has said to us to get our fitness in pre-season and then take it from there.

"I am feeling optimistic I may be offered something. When both Kevin Cuthbert and Colin Stewart are fit, they will be No1 and No2, but last season showed that, with injuries, things can change very quickly.

"I showed last season that I'm capable of coming in and doing a job, if required."