ARTHURLIE manager Stevie Kerrigan admits he is lucky to have Jordan Leyden as he is convinced the midfielder belongs at a higher level.

The 20-year-old singed a contract extension at Dunterlie Park last Saturday to keep him at the Barrhead club until the end of the season.

Leyden was at Partick Thistle as a youngster and has had loan spells at Cove Rangers and East Fife already in his young career.

Kerrigan has already been bowled over by the player’s ability and attitude, so much so that his manager believes Leyden will be back at senior level sooner rather than later.

He said: “Jordan has been excellent. He is friendly with Ryan McGregor, it wasn’t something that we were trying to pursue so it fell in our lap a bit and thankfully it did.

“At the age of 20 he looks like he belongs at a higher level, which I’m quite sure over the next couple of seasons he’ll go back to.

“He’s a star to work with. We’re delighted to get him until the end of the season and we’ll enjoy him while we have him because from what I’ve seen I don’t think he won’t be at this level very long.”

Arthurlie moved up to third place in the Super League Premier Division with a 4-2 win over bottom side Largs Thistle at Dunterlie on Saturday.

Lie will be in confident mood when they travel to Southside rivals Pollok on Saturday as the teams renew hostilities at Newlandsfield Park in the derby (2pm kick-off).

The Lok have had an indifferent start to the league season, registering just one win from their five league games and Kerrigan believes the fixture could come at a good time for Arthurlie.

He added: “Maybe it’s a good time to get them, we’ve done well against them in recent times. They’re one of the favourites for the league and rightfully so, they have a very good manager and a good squad. We’ll go and compete and give them something to think about.”