LEWIS Strapp says he’s going nowhere after reportedly being tracked by Morton’s Renfrewshire rivals St Mirren.

The left-back has had an impressive breakthrough season under the watchful eye of David Hopkin and signed a new deal back in November.

His courageous performances at left-back haven’t gone unnoticed and according to reports has caught the eye of both Jim Goodwin at St Mirren and James McPake at Dundee, who were considering bids in the window.

However, the academy product today made it clear that he is happy in Greenock.

He told the Tele: “It’s the first I’ve really heard about it.

“It is what it is but the main thing for me just now is finishing off the season here at Morton and to finish it successfully too. It’s not a big thing for me because speculation like this happens all the time and moving on isn’t something I’d even consider at this moment of my career.

“There’s always going to be speculation, but I suppose one good thing that can come out of it is that it can give players like myself and Reece [Lyon] a bit of confidence, because it’s nice to hear that there’s teams watching us and obviously like the look of us.

“I can use it to my advantage too, because we’ve got some big games coming up against the two Dundee sides and Ayr United.

“My sole focus is on those games but I can go into them with a spring in my step because of that.

“I’ve just signed a new deal for another two-and-a-half years, so it’s not something I’ve looked at or into.”

Strapp insists the lure of first team football and gaining experience under David Hopkin is a big factor in his rise in stock but he says that he wants to continue playing in the crunch games instead of making a sideways step in his career.

He added: “I’m really happy here at Morton because I’m playing every week and learning at the same time and that’s the best thing. I could be doing for my career right now.

“It’s good to know that as much as Morton have recognised my hard work this season, other people are too, but at the moment we’ve got a big second half of the season to think of and I want to be a part of it.

“I just need to keep my head concentrated on that and everything will just look after itself.

“This is my first year where I actually feel as if I’ve been able to make a difference for the team. In other years where I’ve been a part of the first team set-up I’ve either been on the bench or out on loan or playing in games at the end of the season.

“I’m not saying that they didn’t mean anything, but now I’ve got a jersey to keep with good competition behind me and I’m playing games now, where three points could be the difference of if you’re in the play-offs or not.

“The gaffer has put a lot of trust in me to play in these games and I want to repay him for that.

“It’s like when there was talk of Celtic being interested in me a few years ago. I was really enjoying it here and didn’t want to leave because it wouldn’t really benefit me to leave Morton.

“You’ve got boys at my age who might make that move and still end up being put out on loan to this division, even from teams in England because you’re put into a pecking order, so it’s a no-brainer to stay here and make the most of the opportunity I’ve got.”