Ton deserve to revel in rare win at Dundee Utd

Delighted manager Jim Duffy believes his players were close to hitting peak performance levels in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Dundee United and says they deserve to revel in a rare Morton win at Tannadice.

The Cappielow club last won at the home of the Tangerines on 9 September 1978 when Jim Rooney and Bobby Russell fired them to a 2-1 win in the then-Premier Division.

But goals from Thomas O’Ware, Scott Tiffoney, and Jack Iredale saw Ton end that near 40-year wait for a victory at the same venue, something that gaffer Duffy reckons showed how special the display was.

He told gmfc.net: “Saturday was one of those days where every player played very close to their maximum. Every department was very strong.

“The goalkeeper’s concentration was superb. The back four were organised and disciplined, didn’t give away cheap free-kicks, stayed on their feet, defended the box well.

“The midfield players were really dynamic and creative, and the front two players showed high energy and quality right through the game.

“You don’t normally get every player playing close to their maximum, but Saturday was like that. It was a performance to revel in and enjoy, because it doesn’t happen that often.

“When it does happen it tells us that, on our day, we can be a very good side. To win away to Dundee United as comprehensively as we did was an outstanding team performance. That’s something you have to enjoy.

“After the game, we learned it has been 40 years since Morton won up there. That shows you that, even with the fantastic sides this club has had over the years, how difficult a place that has been.

“So, to win there was special for the players and they deserve all the credit for it. As I said, it’s a big result.”

It meant back-to-back away wins for the Sinclair Street side following their recent 2-1 Scottish Cup success at Dunfermline Athletic, and Duffy was also elated with the outcome at East End Park.

He added: “It’s been two outstanding results – and performances. I think the cup game was an even match: we had spells in the game, they had spells in the game. We just capitalised on two chances we got.

“Both goalkeepers made very good saves in the game and there were a lot of goal-mouth opportunities for the teams, and, on the day, we managed to nick it.

“We scored two outstanding goals, through Gary Oliver and Jai Quitongo, and it was a good overall team performance. We dug in and managed to show real quality to win the game on the counter-attack.

“In a cup competition, away at a really difficult venue, it was an absolutely terrific result. So we’re really pleased to be in the next round of the cup.

“It’s important for the club, and winning matches away at places like Dunfermline helps players and gives them belief they can go anywhere and get a result.”

Image: David Bell