Youth Academy Update | 27/08/25

Greenock Morton have reached the difficult decision to remove its participation in the Club Academy Scotland under 19s set up for the 2025/26 season, with more focus going into the current under 17 group of players.

3 players will remain with the club – Louie Murphy, Ciaran Taggart and Charlie McColl and train with the first team squad.

The following players have been released – Callum Mustard, Keiran Donnelly, Ryan Shiels, Ethan Docherty, Ben Geraghty and Kyle Hamilton. Ben Geraghty who is currently dealing with a long-term injury, will continue to be supported in his rehab by the club.

All players were met with last week to discuss the decision. The club has also been in dialogue with the SFA through the process and the decision taken collaboratively with Gary Miller and the first team coaching staff. This decision will have no impact on the Club Academy Scotland funding received by the club. The club are supportive of this new under-19 bracket being introduced and will be working towards competing at this age group next season.

Greenock Morton Director, Ross Gourdie, said, “While this has been an extremely difficult decision, we did not feel we had the strength to compete in the under 19s league, and this was the most appropriate course of action for the coming season for all concerned.”

Head of Emerging Talent, Gary Miller added, “Our intention now is very much to build the under 17 group, which has a lot of potential to compete at the under 19 level in the 2026/27 season, with some hopefully pushing towards the first team squad.”

“Having been in the role for a couple of months now, I am hugely excited about what the future holds for the youth academy and look forward to helping see that potential through to realisation. There is a lot of talent across the age groups within the academy which will continue to thrive.”

We would like to extend sincere thanks to all of the departing players for their service and wish them good luck for the future.