RUARIDH Langan has had to be patient over the last six years at Morton — but says he was delighted to get his first start this week in front of his biggest fans.

The 20-year-old from Port Glasgow was ecstatic when he found out he would make his full debut against Dumbarton on Tuesday.

After hearing manager Ray McKinnon was to ring the changes for the game Irn-Bru Cup tie days before, the former St Stephen’s pupil hoped he would get his first chance to shine.

Despite Morton being knocked out at the first hurdle, it was a special occasion for Langan with his mum and dad in the stand watching him get his first start.

He told the Tele: “I’ve been here since 2012 when the academy first started and it was great to finally get a chance, I was chuffed.

“I know the gaffer said he was looking to make changes, so I was hoping he would give me a chance. 

“When he turned the tactics board around in the changing rooms before the game and showed that I was starting I was really excited.

“My mum and dad were up there. It was only my mum’s second ever away game, so it was great to play in front of them.”

Langan has only made brief appearances in the past, coming off the bench six times for the Ton so far after making his debut last season.

There were no nerves for the midfielder, but he felt it took his side until later in the first half to settle into the game.

He added: “The nerves weren’t as bad as I thought they were going to be, when I came off the bench for the first time against Edinburgh City last year they were far worse.

“It was nowhere near as bad as that but it wasn’t that I feeling nervous — I was more excited than anything. It took us a while to settle into the pace of the game, but we got used to it and from about 30 minutes on we were the better team, especially in the second half, I felt we were the better side.”

Langan partnered American Kyle Thomson, who was also making his first start in a Ton shirt, in the centre of the park.

The 20-year-old was given more licence to roam in the second half, and he felt that suited his style of play.

He said: “I was allowed to push up a bit more and that allowed me to get up and down the park with more freedom. It was better for me not sitting back so much.

“Kyle likes to sit a bit more so it gave me a bit of licence to roam forward.”