MORTON development squad coach Andy Millen is to leave Cappielow this summer to take up a ‘coaching opportunity at a higher level’.

Millen was boss of the Ton Under-20s side and guided them to the Development League West Championship in 2016 before finishing runners up to eventual winners Queen of the South this season.

The 51-year-old is also credited with helping youngsters Jai Quitongo, Lewis Strapp, Scott Tiffoney, Ben Armour and Jamie McGowan through the youth ranks and into the first team during his two-year spell at the club.

Millen, who also stepped into the first-team dugout during Jim Duffy’s two-match suspension towards the end of the season, will depart for pastures new in the coming weeks.

The popular coach said: “This was an opportunity that has come along to work at the same age group at a higher league.

“It wasn’t an easy decision and, first and foremost, I would like to thank Derek Anderson, Jim Duffy, and Warren Hawke for giving me the opportunity.

“I’d also like to thank the chairman. From my time at the club as a player, I know first hand that if it wasn’t for Douglas Rae there wouldn’t be a club there.

“He deserves an enormous amount of credit for how the club has moved on from the dark days to where it is now. There are a lot of good people there.”

Millen went on to praise boss Jim Duffy and his assistant Craig McPherson for the keen interest they hold in what the under-20s side are doing.

He added: “In the two years I was there as development coach, I was fortunate to be at a club that is certainly going forward and to be inside it and see how the manager works.

"Even at 51, and with the time I’ve been in the game, I’ve learned from Jim Duffy.

“Whoever takes over the job at Morton is going to a club that’s youth policy has progressed and a manager that is willing to give boys an opportunity.”