MORTON youth director Derek Anderson has expressed his delight after seeing academy graduate Lewis McGrattan scoop the club’s Young Player of the Year award.

McGrattan shone under Dougie Imrie during the season just gone, taking up his position on the left flank and making it his own and endearing himself to the Ton faithful.

Anderson says he was always confident that McGrattan could cement himself as a first team regular at Cappielow after watching his progress through the ranks with the Ton academy over the last six years.

He told the Tele: “He’s always been a great talent, Lewis.

"I was absolutely delighted for him to get that award and recognition.

“A lot of people might’ve been surprised to see him win it as a winger but there was a couple of times in the reserves that myself and John Sutton had played him in the wide areas.

“He’s quite slight, so there were maybe some times where, in the middle of the park, it got a bit physical and at that point it wouldn’t have suited him.

"So we put him on the side at times to try and make him as effective as he could be.

“But it just shows you how talented a player that Lewis is. He’s been able to show this season that he’s a player that can play in a number of positions.

“He’s one who’s had to wait for his chance and see boys who are a similar age to him get in there before him, but he’s been patient and then took his opportunity with both hands.”

Anderson says that patience has paid off for the youngster as his talent now shines through at first team level.

He told the Tele: “We always knew that Lewis was going to be a late bloomer. Some boys were ahead of him physically, some boys had developed and matured a wee bit earlier than he did.

“But we always knew he’d be a good player despite maybe being a late developer.

“He’s always had the ability.

“Lewis has always had that very level-headed approach to things, and I think that’s all down to his mum, really. She’ll not take any nonsense from him.

“She’ll have kept him level-headed and that’s what every young footballer needs. His award also shows that the pathway is there if you’re good enough.”