MORTON have utilised a link with Glasgow University in order to upgrade the youth academy’s sports science programme and ultimately improve the physical development of players.

The club have pinpointed a pressing need for individuals to emerge from the youth programme ready to handle the rigours of first-team football.

In order to meet the aim of producing stronger players at a younger age, the academy’s head of sports science Paul Green has introduced a new strength and conditioning programme.

From next week onwards, the Under-15s and Under-17s squad will participate in an hour of gym work prior to training with Ross Knight, brother of development squad defender Craig Knight.

Club development consultant Warren Hawke, pictured, explained: “We are just about to integrate an indoor strength and condition programme to the academy. This starts on Tuesday.

“At the moment, we basically incorporate sports science into the training sessions via dynamic movements.

“But we’ve noticed that when most players graduate from the youth academy — and that’s not just ours but most academies — they are ready technically but not quite ready physically.

“To address this, we are introducing a concerted strength and conditioning programme with the Under-15s and Under-17s to kick-start that physical development at a younger age.

“This will be run by our head of sports science, Paul Green, and delivered by Ross Knight, who is Craig Knight’s older brother and a Glasgow University fourth year honours student.

“We have a link with Glasgow University utilising top sports science students in the delivery of our new programme.

“We’re probably going to bring three students on board within the next two weeks.

“Basically, what will happen is that the two oldest age groups will be at St Columba’s school an hour before training once a week to work on their strength and conditioning.

“That will involve core strength, upper and lower body strength — and the thing is you don’t need expensive equipment to do this.

“It will involve body weight exercises like planks, press-ups, squats and so on.

“What we believe this will achieve is to trigger the testosterone in the kids at a younger age to ensure that they develop that bit quicker.

“The aim is to have the boys more physically developed by the time they reach our development squad, thereby preparing them for the rigours of adult football.” THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS BRIAN McLaughlin has told how his side were given clear proof of the progress they have made since the beginning of the campaign.

The Morton Under-12s faced Queen’s Park in a pre-season friendly during the summer and came off a clear second best.

But McLaughlin’s kids fared far better when the sides met again on league duty this past Saturday.

He told the Tele: “We played Queen’s Park at the weekend, six weeks after a pre-season friendly.

“That encounter was a one-sided affair, with Queen’s Park looking stronger. However, Saturday’s fixture saw a significant improvement.

“The boys were full of confidence as they played passing and possession football against an extremely hard working and organised Queen’s Park side.” DEREK Allan says his midfielders must start weighing in with their fair share of goals to take some of the burden off the frontmen.

Strikers Scott Tiffoney and Scott Miller in particular have been regular fixtures on the scoresheet this term.

But Under-17s coach Allan has been far from satisfied with the goal threat posed by his midfield of late.

He said: “Scott Miller and Scott Tiffoney scored in our recent match against Partick Thistle, but we are relying on the same players to get on the scoresheet every week.

“I am challenging the midfield players to get in the box and help the strikers out. We need to get more men beyond the strikers.” DELIGHTED David Garrett paid tribute to his defence after they learned lessons from a disappointing display against Partick Thistle.

The Under-13s coach said: “We conceded sloppy goals due to poor defending and poor decision making against Partick Thistle.

“The second 30 minutes was a very poor display and Partick punished us.

“The team needed to learn from their mistakes and work hard on defending in the final third.

“We followed that up with a match against Clyde. The whole team’s performance was a big improvement — and it was very pleasing to see the defending much improved.” Upcoming fixtures Saturday 27 September Under-11s v Motherwell (a) 10am Under-12s v Motherwell (a) 12pm Sunday 28 September Under-13s v Airdrie (a) 10am Under-14s v Airdrie (h) 2pm, Parklea Under-15s v Airdrie (a) 10am Under-17s v Partick Thistle (h) 2pm, Parklea