MORTON youngster Darren Hynes is on cloud nine after making his first-team debut.

The 19-year-old played the full match against Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday, just days after winning the development league with the under-20s side.

The right-back played well and was voted man of the match for his display.

He told the Tele: “I was delighted to make my debut. I’ve been on the bench seven or eight times and I’ve always been desperate to get on.

“I knew on Friday I was in the squad, and I found out from the gaffer at 1.30pm that I was starting, and I wanted to grasp the opportunity. I think I did okay.

"I was a bit nervous and I never realised the difference of pace and physicality between the first team and the under-20s, but I settled into the game and my nerves settled down.”

Hynes’ first-team bow came hot on the heels of the under-20s winning the Development League West in the last game of the season.

Stranraer had been on course to win the league, but were docked points after a hearing for fielding an ineligible player.

After beating Albion Rovers 6-1, it set up a title-decider against Ayr United.

United could win the title if they walked away with three points, and a draw would mean Airdrie would win the league.

But the Ton youngsters held their nerve at Cappielow, Jack Purdue’s second-half penalty was enough to seal victory for the hosts, and meant Morton were crowned league champions.

Hynes added: “We were 2-0 up at Albion Rovers recently and drew with them 2-2, and we thought we’d thrown the league away.

“Then we heard about the Stranraer situation, and we were delighted to get a second opportunity, you don’t normally get those in football.

“Our performance on Monday night, where we were 5-0 up after 20 minutes, showed how much the boys wanted it and how much we wanted to go and win the league.

“We coped with the pressure, and Danny [Farrell] kept us in it a few times with a few excellent saves.”

Hynes is now hoping this is just the beginning of his Morton career after getting his first game under his belt.

His contract expires this summer, but the 19-year-old is keen to stay on at Cappielow and wants to try and nail down the right-back position and make it his own.

He said: “My contract is up, so I’ll wait and see, but I want to stay at Morton, and hopefully push on in pre-season and kick on from there.

“I want to try and keep myself fit over the off-season and to try and come back in pre-season and kick on for next year, and hopefully make a few more appearances, and push for a starting position more regularly.”