Portuguese giants have eye on Reid

St Mirren face a battle to hold on to their brightest young academy star Dylan Reid with Portuguese giants Benfica keen to prise him away from Paisley.

The 17-year-old has impressed in the stripes whenever called upon this season, having made a historic debut against Rangers last season having just turned 16.

The teenage midfielder has already enjoyed a trial with Benfica, who finished third in the Primeira Liga, as well as

German powerhouses Bayern Munich. Saints manager Stephen Robinson admits the club are at the mercy of the finances of Europe’s biggest football clubs.

Nevertheless he is keen to hang on to the Scotland Under-17 talent for as long as it’s possible.

Robinson said:“Dylan is certainly still our player and will remain so until someone tells me different.

“We’re at the mercy of the bigger clubs unfortunately.

That’s the way of the world and they buy them younger and younger.

“They buy boys at 14, 15, 16 and we’re not in control of that. All we can do is try and bring them on.

“Dylan has all the attributes to be a top player but he’s still a very young boy. It would be unfair to put too much pressure and expectation on him.

“He’s going away to the Euros with the Scotland Under-17s soon. Hopefully he goes and enjoys that and he’s part of the first-team squad here next season.

“Hopefully we can develop him into a first-team player because he is still a baby.

“Dylan trains with us every day. He wasn’t playing with Queen’s Park so we brought him back to the first team.

“St Mirren is a club that gives pathways to young players, that’s very clear and there’s a good job being done by our academy.

“If they’re good enough, they’ll play here.”

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