Duffy: I’m having a terrific time at Cappielow

Jim Duffy says he has enjoyed a terrific time as Morton manager and so was delighted to accept the offer of a contract extension until the summer of 2019.

The 58-year-old was appointed Ton boss in May 2014 and won the League One title in his first season before following that up with a fifth-place finish on the club’s return to the Championship.

His side went one better last term, securing a promotion play-off berth by finishing in the top four as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Betfred Cup – our first appearance at that stage of a national competition in 35 years.

Those achievements saw Duffy both named as the Ladbrokes Championship Manager of the Season and shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year award, alongside Premiership trio Brendan Rodgers, Derek McInnes, and Alan Archibald.

The former defender says he thoroughly enjoys working for the club and so was thrilled when chairman Douglas Rae showed his commitment with the offer of a new deal.

Speaking exclusively to gmfc.net, Duffy said: “I’m delighted to have signed until 2019 and from my point of view I can look forward to working with the players for hopefully the next two seasons.

“In February or March the chairman asked if I was interested. At that time I really wanted to concentrate on the season and see if we could finish first and foremost in the play-offs. Since that was concluded, there’s been talks and I’m delighted it’s done.

“The demands on managers are there for everyone to see. Every time you turn on the TV there is usually a manager losing his job, so the club has shown a commitment to me by offering an extension.

“And I was delighted to accept it. I’ve had a terrific time at the club and really enjoy the job. I love working with the players on a daily basis, and I think that’s the part that any manager likes most.

“All the other stuff, you can’t really affect. You can only affect how the players respond, their mentality, the tactics. All those aspects. I’m really happy at the club and hopefully we can continue to be successful.

“I’ve got a job to do and the job is to try and make Morton the best we can with the resources we have available, and by and large, the players have responded to that and hopefully we can continue to move forward as a club.”

Image: Ross Cameron