Jack Tourish enjoys a kickabout at the new pitches

The grounds are being provided for local teams when works start on a planned viaduct.

It will cut across St James playing fields in Paisley, a crucial part of the rail link project.

The news comes weeks after work began on a key section of the route between Shields Junction, near Kinning Park, and Arkleston Junction.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) said the work at the Shanks pitches in Johnstone, near Paisley, was "one of the most important developments for grassroots football in the west of Scotland".

SPT chair Alistair Watson said: "This is the first step towards providing first-class, league standard temporary football facilities across Renfrewshire while work to construct the viaduct at St James Playing Fields is taking place.

"These 11 football pitches, changing rooms and car parking facilities are a huge boost for football in Renfrewshire and the west of Scotland."