JASON NAISMITH admitted he’s not surprised to see Lewis Morgan and Stevie Mallan starring for their country having watched the pair flourish at St Mirren. The Ross County defender is one of a number of players to have come through the system at the Paisley club including Hibernian’s John Mcginn and Kenny McLean at Aberdeen, writes Graeme Macpherson.

Morgan was named man of the match in the Scotland under-21s’ victory over the Netherlands on Tuesday night, with Mallan scoring the second goal. “It doesn’t surprise me to see them doing so well but it does make me happy,” he said at the Topps Match Attax launch.

“I texted the pair of them after the game. I heard Lewis ran riot. I think it is good for him to stay at St Mirren and get more of a development. Another six months or a year wouldn’t harm him although he will go on to better things.

“I think St Mirren is a great place to learn your trade. Over the past few years we’ve had Kenny Mclean, John McGinn, Stevie Mallan and now Lewis. They have all played a lot of first team games and that is great credit to [former head of youth] Davie Longwell and now Alan McManus.”

Naismith, meanwhile, backed Scott Fox to bounce back from his howler against Rangers a fortnight ago. The County goalkeeper failed to clear a Rangers attack, presenting Alfredo Morelos with a tap-in that put his side 2-0 up.

“He’s been fantastic for us so it is hard to give him stick,” added Naismith. “I sit beside him and have made a couple of fly comments. But he has saved us so many points during the six months I’ve been at the club and I’m sure he will save us a few more in future.”