MORTON’S new youth development pathway chief Sean Crighton says the club’s development strategy has gone from strength to strength in recent years.

The academy was reformed in 2011 to meet current SFA criteria, with chief executive Warren Hawke and head of youth Derek Anderson looking to create a clear pathway to the Ton first team from the youth set up.

And Crighton, who was appointed to his new role on Tuesday, says there’s been massive progress with the club’s youth development since he became involved in 2012.

The old set-up was something that influenced his decision when he was a youngster, choosing St Mirren over Morton due to better opportunities being presented to him at the time.

But the likes of Scott Tiffoney and Ruaridh Langan have broken into the first team this year, and Mark Russell has made over 100 appearances for the club as well. 

And Crighton says it’s proof of the hard work being put into the academy.

He told the Tele: “Since Derek and Warren have taken over there’s been a massive progression in the boys coming through.

“Morton didn’t have that in place, and I chose to go to St Mirren as I thought I’d have more of an opportunity there, because Morton didn’t have that.

“But now you’re seeing more boys going to Morton, as you can see the progression, they see the coaching that goes on there, and it’s a testament to the academy that everything is working.”