Och aye the loot! St Mirren pair cash in on DIY deal

"They left it all to us," said 17-year-old 'Bo-Bo' O'Brien, explaining that it was the attitude of Blackburn Rovers, as well as Saints, which swayed the pay-as-they-play deal.

The two teenagers have also cashed in big style on the move, claiming a large slice of the fee for themselves, with 'Bo-Bo' O'Brien due the money from a clause in his contract and the Scottish First Division club similarly rewarding McNamee, 18.

But, in the end, it came down to where the players and parents felt their futures would prosper, rather than hard cash.

Saints chairman Stuart Gilmour praised the way Rovers had handled things, saying: "Blackburn were superb to deal with. In fact you've never seen happier people when it was being done.

"We were happy, they were happy, the players were happy and so were their families.

"And all of it was done without an agent in sight."

The smoothness of the move, along with the major leap it represents, has made a big impression on the boys.

O'Brien said: "It's been hard to take in that I'm a Premiership player so soon.

"But St Mirren were brilliant - they never pushed us to go. "They could easily have taken the chance of the money and told us the deal was done but, instead, left it all to us.

"Blackburn have been the same. They've let us make up our minds about everything.

"Everyone kept telling us if it wasn't right, we didn't have to go.

"That helped so much."

The youngsters were impressed by their treatment, initially from coach Brian McClair, who had an integral role in the deal, and then manager Brian Kidd.

Midfielder O'Brien added: "Brian Kidd has been different class with us, as has Brian McClair. Now it's up to the two of us to take the chance we've been given and prove ourselves."

McNamee was startled by the speed with which everything happened but feels they have made the perfect move for the future.

"I didn't know anything about the Blackburn deal until I was watching Rangers on telly last week," said the full back.

"I was still feeling a bit down that we wouldn't be playing them in the cup after going out to Hamilton.

"Then my dad took a phone call and next thing he was saying that Blackburn wanted me.

"I couldn't believe it. Everything has happened so fast since then. "I went down to Ewood Park for a look round and was knocked out.

"It was so big it was frightening. It made you think about the financial side and the pressures that come with that. You read about players on big money who end up with problems but I think we are going to the perfect club to keep us right.

"It's up to Burton and I to get it right down there."

Both players are already on the road to fortune and, they hope, to fame as well.

O'Brien had a clause in his contract which earned him 25 per cent of any move.

And Saints chairman Stuart Gilmour revealed that even though McNamee had no such guarantee they felt it fair that he should share in what could eventually be a financial bonanza for the Scottish First Division club.

It is the sort of attitude which has helped make St Mirren's youth development programme one of the most envied in Scotland. The club cannot pay big money for players to join and play for them but can ensure they eventually get their rewards. Rovers initially paid £300,000 each for the youngsters and further payments will be triggered by their first team debuts. More will follow after 10, 20, 30, 40 and finally 50 games to a maximum of £1.3 million each.

Rovers have completed the paperwork from their end for the two youngsters to stay with St Mirren on loan to the end of the season and they were expected to play in this afternoon's Scottish First Division game at Airdrie.

Kidd continues to track West Ham's £4m rated Steve Lomas - one of several midfielders under consideration - but Rovers have yet to make a bid fo the Northern Ireland star.

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