Duffy congratulates team on Hibs display

Morton manager Jim Duffy has congratulated his players for what he was felt was a terrific team performance against Hibs on Wednesday night.

The Cappielow club picked up a point away at Easter Road after holding the Ladbrokes Championship league leaders to a goalless draw in the capital.

It was their third cleansheet in their last four fixtures, and Duffy hailed his team’s organisation and assiduous defending, describing it as ‘exceptional’.

Speaking exclusively to gmfc.net after the match, he said: “To come to Easter Road with the knowledge that if Hibs won they’d pretty much wrapped the title up meant it was a terrific point for us.

“To have a clean sheet and keep the quality of the players they have at the top end of the pitch quiet was an outstanding performance.

“Our organisation and discipline in terms of shape, closing down the areas, matching runs – all that kind of stuff – was exceptional.

“I would like to congratulate our players for their performance tonight because I thought they deserve full credit. It was a real determined Morton you saw.

“From the front, Gary [Oliver] and Nizzy [Aidan Nesbitt] running themselves into the ground, right through to Gats [Derek Gaston] with his great save in the first half when he came out and blocked one.

“Right through the whole team. And they were so tired towards the end of the game but still getting back and still trying to challenge. So from my point of view I was absolutely thrilled with the performance of the players.

“I don’t look at the table, but it’s great to be second. It’s great for the fans and great for the club, and for us to be in that position just now is testimony to the work the players have been putting in all season.”

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Supporter salute … Duffy responds to Ton fans’ request for a wave                                   © David Bell

The relatively small band of travelling fans made themselves heard amongst the 14,000-plus home crowd, and Duffy admitted he hasn’t been more happy with a group of supporters than he has in Ton’s last two matches.

He explained: “Even on Saturday when we lost, I thought the support was outstanding. It’s probably as pleased as I’ve been with a group of supporters because we didn’t play that well but they stuck behind us.

“And that helps, because there is no doubt there will be blips, times when you’re not at it. We put a shift in tonight and that’s physically and psychologically draining, so we might need the fans to stick with us again on Saturday.”

 

Images: David Bell