MORTON defender Jack Iredale admits he was surprised his solo strike against Dundee United was nominated for goal of the season.

Iredale’s first goal for the Greenock club has been named as one of 10 nominations for the PFA Scotland goal of the season, with the winner announced at the annual awards dinner on Sunday at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow.

After picking the ball up 35 yards out, Iredale weaved his way past several defenders before rifling the ball into the back of the net with his left foot at Tannadice, helping Ton to a 3-0 victory in January.

The former Perth Glory player says it came as a surprised to see his name on the shortlist alongside the likes of Celtic’s Kieran Tierney and former Motherwell player Louis Moult.

Iredale told the Tele: “I wasn’t expecting it to be honest, and I’m in some very good company on that shortlist so it’s really cool to be recognised for something like this.

“It’s definitely the best goal I’ve ever scored I think because it was a senior goal and it was on my Championship debut.

“The gaffer gave me the opportunity at left-back, and since that game I’ve been playing more and more. I’m doing quite well there and I’m happy to be playing.”

The defender joined the club after a stint with Australian side ECU Joondalup last summer, before going out on loan to League One side Queen’s Park for the first half of the campaign.

He then signed a contract extension in December until the end of the season, and made his first league start against Dundee United back in January, the same game where he scored his terrific solo goal.

The 21-year-old started the season playing as a centre-half before being converted to a left-back role.

Iredale has since flourished in the position, becoming a regular starter in the first team.

By the defender’s own admissions he’s surprised with how far he’s come in a short space of time, but the Greenock-born player is hoping to continue the journey with Morton next season.

He added: “I wasn’t expecting it to all happen so quickly.

“The gaffer thought it would be good that I get out to play and get that experience of senior football at Queen’s Park. 

“I did that as a centre-half, but I came back a lot more confident and I felt I’d improve as well.

“I thought I’d be on the bench for the majority of the second half of the season, so to be getting a string of games together is something I won’t expecting to happen so quickly, but I’m glad it has, and I’m enjoying it.

“We’re still in talks with the gaffer at the moment, but I’m happy and hopefully I can stay.

“I left Australia to play football and that’s what I’m doing, I felt like I’ve got that position at left-back and I want to keep it.”