Academy trio sign full-time development deals

Three of our Under-17 starlets have signed two-year, full-time development contracts as they make the step up to Darren Barr’s development squad for next season.

Defender Nathan Durham, midfielder Reece Lyon, and striker Alexander Easdale were all offered terms after impressing in their final season with the youth academy.

The trio of 17-year-olds put pen to paper here at Cappielow on Monday night and will return for pre-season training alongside their new Under-20s team-mates at Parklea tomorrow.

Head of youth Derek Anderson told gmfc.net: “Monday night went very well. I was at the night passing the boys on, and Warren [Hawke] and Jim [Duffy] spoke to them and Darren [Barr] introduced himself to them.

“The boys need to keep focused and if they get a chance, go in and take it. You’ve got two years and the three of the boys have fantastic attitudes so I’m optimistic for them.

“Nathan is a centre-back. We got him just over a year ago. He’s left footed, big, strong, good on the ball. He needs to be a wee bit more aggressive, but that will come. He’s a great kid and deserves his opportunity.

“Reece Lyon is a midfielder, plays centre-mid, who did great for the Under-17s. About a year ago, he sort of struggled – he had the first-year syndrome where he didn’t play a lot.

“I told him: ‘You need to get fitter.’ He went away and worked on his fitness and he’s been absolutely brilliant. He had a great year. He’s got legs – gets about the park – is comfortable on the ball, and chips in with goals as well.

“Alexander took the opportunity of the offer to come in and train for the full season last year around his schooling and his attitude is brilliant.

“He’s growing all the time, some of his link-up play was excellent, and the bigger and stronger he gets with the full-time training the more it will bring him on.

“I’ve seen a big difference in a year with him and we were really starting to see the best of him in the final few months of the season because the full-time training with Andy Millen brought him on leaps and bounds.”

Image: Ross Cameron