AS revealed in yesterday's Telegraph, Morton manager James Grady made his first transfer window signing when he persuaded 19-year-old ex-Celt Michael Tidser to join up at Cappielow.

The player was highly rated during his spell with Celtic, captaining their under-19 team and being involved with Scotland at under-17 and 19 levels.

But he was surprisingly released by the Parkhead club along with several others when under the management of Gordon Strachan.

Grady said: "I'm delighted to sign him. I know a good number of people at Celtic wanted to keep him, but he left under the previous manager." The player had a spell with Swedish club Ostersunds FK before returning a few weeks ago to Scotland.

Grady said: "He went away to Sweden, but we've stolen a march on a few clubs. I expect big things of him." Asked if the youngster is likely to make the Cappielow first team sooner rather than later, Grady replied: "Definitely. I expect him to play most of our games this season.

"We've got him on an 18-month deal which I'm delighted about.

"He's left-sided and has got ability. He's always looking to get on the ball and play passes.

"He'll play in the middle of the park for us. He's the sort of player who demands the ball and doesn't get flustered. He's very pleasing on the eye.

"He's not the finished article yet, but we'll work on that and we're very pleased to have him here." Tidser could go straight into the side to meet Inverness at Cappielow on Saturday, should that game go ahead.

And he also now stands a great chance of playing against his old club in the Scottish Cup clash with Celtic, due to go ahead on Tuesday night at Cappielow.

It is thought Hibs were among a number of Scottish clubs interested in the player.