ALEXANDER Easdale says he left Morton with a heavy heart after calling time on his nine year career at Cappielow.

The young striker came through the club's youth academy to break into the first team in 2019 under David Hopkin.

Easdale insists playing for his home town team was a dream come true but he feels calling time on full-time football to pursue a career in his family's business is the right decision.

He told the Tele: "It is obviously a bit emotional seeing the boys for the last time and saying the goodbyes.

"I have known a few of the boys since I was little and I have grown up with them in the academy.

"I have played with boys like Reece Lyon, Lewis Strapp, Darren Hynes and Lewis McGrattan since I was young.

"It is sad to see them for the last time, but I’ll keep in touch and I am looking forward to the future and seeing what it holds."

While it was a difficult decision to make, Easdale admits leaving the club is something he has been considering for a while.

The 22-year-old praised Dougie Imrie for accepting his decision and Easdale says the Morton boss has offered his support in his new career.

He said: "I have been thinking about it for a while to be honest and I thought now is the right time to make a change, work on my business knowledge and see where that takes me.

"Football doesn’t last long, so I thought I’d go into this route.

"The manager has been great, obviously I played a lot of times under him and he is a good manager.

"I wish him all the success, he was brand new with me and understood the circumstances.

"He said if I need him at all with anything he’ll keep in touch, that is good to hear that he thinks of me highly."

Born and brought up in Greenock, the Morton supporter says playing for his local side made his family proud.

Easdale says he'll savour the memories of playing at Easter Road earlier this season and making his league debut against Hearts in 2021

He said: "Playing in the three League Cup games and playing at Easter Road and winning was a good experience.

"Obviously making my league debut against Hearts a couple of seasons ago was something I'll never forget.

"They have been good memories and I have really enjoyed it.

"A local boy playing for the team I supported since I was young is something not many people can say that they have done and I can say I have achieved that.

"I am delighted and all my family are Morton fans as well, so it has been good for them to have someone there that played for them."

Easdale wants to focus on his business career after stepping back from the pressure of professional football.

However, the 22-year-old hasn't ruled out playing part-time in future.

He added: "I am just looking forward to what is next. Once I left I had other offers from other football teams.

"I am just taking a bit of time to think about my options, to play in between working as well.

"It has been a hectic six years constantly playing full-time football, so I'm going to take a bit of time just to think about it. I don’t want to go into the deep end too quickly, and just see where the future takes me."