MORTON’S Lewis McGrattan is hoping to cap off a great month with a win over English Premier League giants Manchester United.

The 17-year-old made his first-team debut by coming off the bench against Partick Thistle on November 3.

The Ton reserves, including McGrattan, now take on the Red Devils’ under-23s side at Cappielow today, with kick-off at 2pm.

Ricky Sbragia’s side have been training for four days at the National Sports Training Centre at Largs.

The United youngsters compete regularly in the youth Champions League, playing against some of the best young talent in the world, and are unbeaten this season in their group which has the likes of Juventus and Valencia in it.

The Ton beat Celtic Reserves 3-1 earlier on this season and McGrattan says they can take confidence from that victory and get a win against United.

He told the Tele: “I’m really hoping to be involved. It’s a brilliant game to have.

“They compete regularly in the youth Champions League, so you’re playing against some great players. I’ve seen them on the TV a few times.

“Celtic are a team that have been in the youth Champions League for the last few seasons and they’ve handled themselves well in it and the fact we beat them gives us confidence.”

McGrattan was part of Rangers youth set-up for eight years before joining Morton’s Under-17s on a part-time basis last season.

However, the teenager, from Port Glasgow, trained full-time with the academy in the hope of earning a full-time contract, and featured for the club’s under-20s in their title-winning campaign last season.

The midfielder worked part-time as a waiter in the evenings to help earn himself some extra money.

But after securing a professional contract this summer, he is glad to focus purely on the football this season and is happy his hard work has paid off.

He added: “I’ve trained with Morton since the last summer before I signed, but I wasn’t full-time until this summer.

“I was only with Morton part-time last year. It was really tough and I was working part-time to try and help out.

“I was waitering and I’m glad I’m not doing both of them anymore. I’m really enjoying it coming in every day and I hope I can keep on doing it.”

McGrattan has been a regular for the reserves this season in the centre of midfield, alongside fellow reserve team player Reece Lyon.

Since Jonatan Johansson was appointed manager the pair have been training with the first team on a regular basis.

The youngster has been enjoying every moment of his fast rise into the first team set-up, and admits it’s been a big surprise for him to be involved so soon.

McGrattan said: “When I signed I was meant to be playing with just the under-18s and the reserves and to try and get a chance when I could.

“So it definitely has come as a bit of a surprise.

“Reece has obviously been playing well and it’s good that the new manager is giving us a chance.

“He’s [Johansson] been brilliant since he came in, we’ve been training quite a lot with the first team and it’s encouraging for us that he’s giving us a chance.”