LARGS Thistle boss Stuart Davidson has hailed the rise of full-back Darren Hynes after he sealed a new two year deal with Greenock Morton.


The 22-year-old, who featured on loan at Largs Thistle a year ago from the Cappielow outfit, was given a surprise first team start at Morton under new gaffer Gus MacPherson last month - and has had several first team games since.
Davidson said: "It is great to see Darren's progression - when he came to us last season you could see his quality.
"Derek Anderson, director of youth at Morton, had told me that the boy was good enough to be playing in the first team and it is great to see that he has been rewarded for his efforts.
"Sometimes that is all it takes - it requires a bit of faith, and being professional at all times - and you could see that Darren had that in his locker. It just goes to show you that there are opportunities for players to go on to higher levels if you apply yourself.
"He looks after himself and has a professional attitude. Sometimes that can be the difference with players at our level who sometimes have just as much ability.
"It is important you believe in yourself. and the fact that Gus McPherson was a right-back himself, shows you that he is a good judge."
Hynes featured in three games for Largs Thistle after signing in February 2020 - but his loan deal was cut short by the pandemic, meaning he only played in matches against Beith, Troon and Glenafton.
His return to the first team at Morton was the first time he had featured for the first team since August 2018 - and he went on have a man of the match winning display in a 2-1 victory over Queen of the South.