Both Sunderland and Swansea City are believed to be keen on the 18-year-old and are currently monitoring his progress with interest.

It is understood that both teams have had Russell watched, while Hibs and Middlesbrough have also had scouts at Ton matches in recent weeks.

Youth academy graduate Russell, who turns 19 in March, was signed from Glennifer Thistle in the summer of 2012 following a successful trial and spent a year with the club’s Under-17s.

He was a stand-out performer for Derek Allan’s side, playing at centre forward or as a left winger, and was offered his first professional contract at the end of the campaign.

The former St Mirren Boys’ Club star then made the step up to David Hopkin’s development squad, and it was with the reserves that he was first deployed at left-back.

Impressive second string performances prompted Allan Moore to hand him his top-team debut as a last-minute sub in a 2-0 win against Dumbarton on 9 November 2013.

Paisley-born Russell’s first start arrived just three weeks later when then-interim manager Hopkin selected him to play in a Scottish Cup tie away at Inverness Caley Thistle.

He went on to make five starts and eight sub appearances over the course of the season, earning himself a new two-year deal which expires in May 2016.

His progress has continued unabated, leading to him making 21 appearances already this term under new manager Jim Duffy — as well as catching the eye of a string of potential suitors.