MORTON gaffer Gus MacPherson admits that it was only a matter of time before his young stars started catching the eye of top clubs south of the border.

Lewis McGregor and Alexander King, both 17, burst onto the scene at the start of the season and impressed in the Premier Sports Cup group stages, with McGregor netting against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

A number of English Premiership sides are reported to be monitoring the duo's progress, with Southampton leading the interest in the pair.

McPherson told the Tele: “I think when you get younger players like Lewis and Alexander coming into your first team squad, there’s going to be attention.

“Not only is it fantastic for the players to be getting that kind of recognition but it also gives the coaches in the youth set up a boost as well.

“It’s just unfortunate that Lewis has picked up and injury that’s held him back a little bit, as has Alexander, but again that’s all part of a younger player's development.

“You want to be bringing your own players through, every club wants to be breeding their own first team squad members.

“The Championship is a really tough league to blood younger players in, but I don’t think that there will be many clubs in the league who will have two 17-year-olds in their squad.

“We've had players like Reece Lyon, Lewis McGratten, Darren Hynes, Lewis Strapp and Mark Russell all come through at Morton, so the time and effort that goes into the academy is paying dividends.

“To have Premier League clubs down south looking at Lewis and Alexander can only mean good things for the club.

“They’re both very fit young players, but they have the talent to go with it.

“Fitness is key to making an impact but youngsters need to have ability too - and they have both."

The Ton chief has called on his players to keep their momentum up today after picking up a vital win last week at East End Park.

He believes that every point his side can gain will be crucial come the end of the season.

McPherson added: “It’s up to us to keep this this rolling now.

“I’ve said it before, we’ve played better and lost so when you win you just take it for what it is. You don’t get too high with the highs or too low with the lows.

“You’ve got to try and keep a level head and understand that, especially at this level of football, it’s a coat of paint between winning and losing."