NEW Saints acquisition Thierry Small has cited Tino Livramento’s immediate success as motivation after south-coast move, saying: “It shows that Ralph, if you’re playing well, he’s not scared to play young players.”

Small, aged just 17, signed on a three-year deal at St Mary’s after rejecting permanent terms from his last club Everton in the summer.

Livramento, 18, has started both Premier League games so far this season and even picked up the man of the match award during the 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

Despite Kyle Walker-Peters being one of Saints’ best players last campaign, Ralph Hasenhuttl claimed to have picked his starters solely on merit, demonstrating the opportunity for youngsters to stake a claim.

Small admits this is huge for him, telling the club website: “Tino has come in, done unbelievable and hit the ground running straight away, so it just motivates me that there’s opportunities here.

“It shows that Ralph, if you’re playing well, he’s not scared to play young players, so it’s really reassuring to see Tino playing as he deserves to play.

“I know how he’s been performing in training and in games, so it’s really reassuring for me to know if I’m doing well, doing the right things on the training pitch then hopefully that will warrant an opportunity to play.

Small made clear that he knows nothing is guaranteed, and expects to work for his place in Hasenhuttl’s side.

He is seen as a high-potential understudy to fellow summer signing Romain Perraud, who has started both games in left-back so far this season.

Small added: “I’m going to work hard in training and hopefully the manager will have faith in me to do a job for the team and help the team win games and get results.

“I’ll put one hundred and ten percent in for this club. It’s a huge honour for me to be here so that’s the least I can do, is hard work.”