SEAN Crighton is delighted at being appointed as Morton’s new head of the youth academy pathway, saying his new role is the ‘perfect fit’.

The former Ton defender will oversee the under-13 to under-18 age groups, as well as looking after the under-20s until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old, who also plays as a centre-half with fellow Championship side Brechin City, can’t wait to get started in his new position, having worked in the academy as a coach since 2012.

Speaking to the Tele, he said: “It was the perfect fit for 
me.

“When Derek [Anderson, director of youth] and Warren [Hawke, chief executive] approached me I was buzzing when they offered me the full-time job.

“It’s similar to what I’ve been doing with the academy for the last five-and-a-half years with the age groups I’ve been taking, as well as my involvement in the performance school from day-to-day.

“It allows me to work with the younger kids right up to the under-18s, so it’s given me the experience to progress.”

Crighton holds UEFA A and B, and Youth Elite A licences, and works at the SFA Holyrood Performance School as well.

The defender has had a tough season with Brechin this year in the Championship, but he has no plans to hang up his boots any time soon, and insists his experiences as a player will benefit his own coaching career.

He added: “I only turned 28 last week, and I still feel like I’ve got life in me yet from a football sense.

“You gain more experience by playing, working with different coaches and seeing different things, and that’s why Derek has appointed me as well.

“I had the roller-coaster journey of being appointed a youth player at St Mirren, and what the boys are going through now.

“I went on to play first-team football in the lower divisions, moved back up, getting promoted, winning championships and being relegated this year. I’ve experienced a lot, and my experiences can only help me in my job.”

Crighton has been involved with the under-20s since last week, and the development side were in action last night, picking up a 3-0 win over Clyde under-20s at Broadwood Stadium.

It was their sixth win in a row, moving the Ton youngsters up to fourth place in the Development League Two table, with games in hand on some of the teams above them.

And Crighton says his involvement in the under-20s until the end of the season will be an invaluable experience.

He said: “It’s a good experience as it’s maybe something I’ll aspire to do maybe when I’m older, doing management and coaching.

“I’m thankful to Derek, Warren and Jim Duffy for giving me the opportunity to take the under-20s boys and I’m really enjoying it, and I think they’ll benefit from everything I’ll give them.”