MARK Russell rejected an offer of an apprenticeship to sign a two-year deal with Morton — because he could not bring himself to give up on his dream of having a career as a footballer.

The 18-year-old was one of 11 Ton youth academy graduates to be offered full-time deals with David Hopkin’s development squad.

Forward-turned-left-back Russell was faced with a difficult decision: whether or not to turn his back on a potentially uncertain future in the game for a reliable trade as a joiner.

But after two weeks of soul searching and discussion with his parents, he elected to continue on the path towards becoming a first-team regular at Cappielow.

He told the Tele: “I was pleased to get offered a new contract with Morton but also had an offer of an apprenticeship as I joiner and had to take that into consideration.

“It was between that and football.

“I spoke with my mum and dad about it and took my time to think things through myself.

“It is my dream to be a footballer, but the reality is that I could be one tackle away from the end of my career.

“Hoppy [David Hopkin] and Warren [Hawke] both spoke to me about staying on board for next season, saying that it’s a once in a lifetime chance to achieve your dream.

“In the end I decided to give football a real go. That’s me signed and I’m looking forward to next season now.” Russell has trained under three different Ton managers in Allan Moore, interim boss Hopkin, and Kenny Shiels, and impressed to the extent that he received game time during each individual’s tenure.

With Jim Duffy set to lead the Cappielow club into League One, he feels as though he is right back at square one. The teenager is not downhearted, however, and sees working with a new management team and forcing his way back into the first-team picture as an exciting challenge.

Russell, who made five starts and eight sub appearances last term, added: “I was breaking into the first-team last season but we’ve got a new manager now so I’m starting again really.

“I’ve not really had the chance to speak to the manager yet; he just said he’s heard good things about me.

“I’m focused on becoming a first-team regular, that’s where I see myself. I haven’t set myself a target for how many starts I’d like to make or anything.

“If I’m doing my best in training and my best playing for the reserves, I’ll hopefully get a chance in the first-team.

“And if I do make it in it’ll then be about trying to keep my place.”