WHEN Kelty Hearts kick off their Viaplay Cup campaign this afternoon, no-one will be more familiar with their first opponents than summer signing Reece Lyon.

The 23-year-old completed a move to New Central Park earlier this month after leaving Greenock Morton - who will clash with the 'Maroon Machine' for the first time at the weekend.

When asked if it was fate that dictated that his first competitive game for his new club would be against the one he has spent his entire career with previously, a wry smile appeared on Lyon's face, as he noted: "I'll look forward to that".

It is a match that will also reunite Kelty player / boss, Michael Tidser, and defender, Tam O'Ware, with the Cappielow club, with all three having served them with distinction in previous years.

Lyon, who was born in and still lives in Greenock, came through the Championship club's academy before making his top team bow in the 2018/19 campaign, during which he played alongside Tidser, who was in his second spell with the 'Ton.

The midfielder went on to make more than 100 appearances but, after ending last season on loan with League Two Annan Athletic - helping them to promotion via the play-offs - his nine-year association with his hometown club came to an end.

That allowed Tidser to exert his influence and make his move to bring Lyon to Kelty, who believes that a change of scenery will be a good thing for his career, after admitting he was losing his love for the game towards the end of his time at Morton.

"I feel as if I needed a change anyway; a change was coming regardless," Lyon told Press Sport.

"I've been there all my career so I feel as if I needed to boost myself. I was losing the love for the game.

"I went to Annan last year and I absolutely loved it. I just feel as if I needed that change to boost me up again."

When asked if falling out of love with football was to do with not playing as regularly, Lyon replied: "I live two seconds from the stadium. I was getting too comofrtable in my surroundings, and not playing as well didn't help, so a bit of both.

"I just needed a change to get me going again, and last year did that to be fair when I went to Annan. I played every week, we got promoted, so it was a great feeling.

"I've come here to try and play as much as I can as well, and try and get my career going again."

Lyon is full of belief that moving to Kelty and working with Tidser will prove to be the right decision, especially as he felt he had the potential to move into management during their time together at Morton.

"He was always a moany one, always shouting and bawling, so, aye, I saw it coming!," he laughed.

"Obviously, I played with the gaffer when I came through and made my debut, so, as soon as he phoned me, I was really interested.

"He was probably one of the biggest influences (when coming through at Morton) if I'm being honest. He was harsh with me as a young boy, as with all the young boys, but I think that's what you need to grow into a person. I went and played a lot of games in the Championship, so it obviously helped me in some way.

"This is a big cross-path in my career. Obviously, I've been at Morton all my days - I've never signed a contract anywhere else - so this was a big decision for me, hence why it took so long to make. I feel as if I've made the right decision.

"It's a big cross-path in my career so, to come somewhere where I feel as if I'll be comfortable, because I know him, instead of going somewhere that I don't know anybody, so, I've come here and I feel part of it straight away."

Tidser commented: "When Reece made his debut at Morton - I think he was 16, 17 - I could tell instantly he was a good player. I've always kept in touch with him, whether through messages or phone calls, and he's somebody that, once I got the job, I really wanted to get in.

"I knew it would've been tough in terms of competition. I'll be honest with you, it was on, it was off, it was on, it was off, because other teams, bigger teams in bigger leagues, were interested.

"Credit to Reece, he said, look, I want to work with you, I want try and get better, I want to learn, and hopefully this is the platform for him.

"I've got high hopes for Reece going into the season.

"I've known him since he was a kid. I know his personality and I know what buttons to press as well.

"I like players that can handle the ball, want the ball, and constantly try and dictate play, and he certainly fits that bill.

"I'll push him because I want to get the best out of him. I believe he can go again, but it's alright me believing, he's got to go show it on the park.

"I've put a big onus on him to go and be top man for us this season, so only time will tell with that."