Enjoy moment in the spotlight

Allan McManus has called on St Mirren’s U-20s to seize the moment when handed their chance in the first team.

Cammy MacPherson and Ethan Erhahon are two of the latest youngsters to have been given an opportunity by gaffer Jack Ross.

And St Mirren head of youth McManus believes there is scope for plenty more of his side making the move up at some stage.

He said:“It’s been particularly pleasing for Ethan Erhahon and David Wilson to have made the step up to the 20s as they can still technically play for the 17s. They’ve come in and done very well.

“David has looked very composed in goal.

“Ethan has come in and done very well and got his reward last weekend by getting his opportunity in the first team.

“That’s the carrot for all the players at under-20s. If they work hard and show the manager glimpses of what they can do, then they will be given that opportunity.

“If they keep working hard and keep listening and learning, then, hopefully, more of them will get a chance in the future.”

The club’s youngsters have got off to a solid start in their development league campaign — but McManus admits he is still looking for an improvement.

He added:“The results have been decent, though I still think the performances can get better.

“But all credit to the boys, they’ve shown that they can win games in different manners, which is very important because you don’t always win games at first team level playing pretty, attractive football — sometimes you need to grind out results.

“We played very well, with a lot of attacking football against Hearts a few weeks ago, but last week against Dundee United we had to win the game in a slightly different manner.”