YOUNG Morton defender Darren Hynes wants to follow in the footsteps of ex team-mate Reghan Tumilty and current Ton prodigy Lewis Strapp as he heads out on loan.

Former development squad captain Hynes has sealed a six-month stint with Lowland League side Gretna 2008 along with colleague Lewis McGrattan.

He hopes that the pair can find success in Dumfries and Galloway in what will be their first proper taste of first team football.

The 21-year-old has taken confidence from the showings of last year’s full back pairing of Tumilty and Strapp, who had successful loan spells away elsewhere before becoming vital parts of David Hopkin’s first team.

Hynes told the Tele: “Hopefully I can have a similar story to Reghan last year.

“He went out on loan to Dumbarton and was successful, he came back and was pretty consistent in the way he played towards the end of the season before leaving.

“Strappy went out on loan in the last couple of seasons and has come back to become Young Payer of the Year.

“My main priority is to go out and knuckle down, work as hard as I can and come back a better player.

“If I return in January and I'm fortunate enough to get a chance then I’ll do my best to grab it with both hands.

“It’s clear to see there’s a path there into the first team - it’s just up to me to take it.”

Hynes says he is pleased to have a pal with him on his loan adventure.

He told the Tele: “It’s good that the both of us are going to Gretna.

"Lewis and me will have a face that we’ll know, but more importantly we can potentially get minutes under our belts.

“These loan spells are only going to help us because we’re going to be exposed to playing against guys who’re a good bit older and vastly more experienced.

“It’s better than playing reserve football, which is against your own age group and maybe the three points is as big a concern as your development.

“Playing against these older guys will help me gain some hints and tricks just to improve my all round game."

Hynes feels he has improved tenfold over the short space of time spent with the first-team over the course of pre-season.

He says the senior players in the squad have been great in helping him adapt to the demands of the first team.

Hynes said: “It’s great to be in and around the first team, there’s experienced players in the squad and I’m learning all the time.

"The likes of Brian McLean, Jim McAlister and Midge have been great with me.

“I have enjoyed working with the gaffer too every day in pre season.

“Although it has only been few weeks, I feel as if I have learned a lot and have improved.

“They’ve all given me some great advice over the course of pre-season, and I’ve tried to take as much of that on board as possible."