Everton prospect John Paul Kissock is already making a huge impact on-loan at Gretna.

"I am really excited about Kissock and I feel he could be the player who sparks us," Gretna boss Davie Irons said. "I phoned David Moyes, whom I played with at Dunfermline Athletic, to ask if he could loan me any players, and he suggested John Paul.

"Initially, the boy took cold feet. I really had to work hard to convince him. He has been at Everton since he was 10 and is a real Scouser.

"He did not even know where Gretna is. I have had to take him under my wing a bit and make sure he is well looked after off the pitch, because he is so young."

According to the Gretna boss, Kissock is enjoying life so far in Scotland.

He added: "We have made him a star in our set up, and he's loving the attention, not to mention the crowds that were at Tynecastle and Easter Road.

"It's a lot compared to the 100 or so that watched Everton's youth team. I don't know if he is physically up to playing in the Premier League, but he can discover himself here and learn a lot."