DELIGHTED Morton goalkeeper Ryan Mullen says his side made a statement by keeping an opening day clean sheet against Partick - but he wants to back it up with a win over Hamilton Accies.
The former Celtic kid was on top form to keep the likes of Brian Graham and Harry Milne at bay with some great stops in Glasgow’s northeast as Ton battled for a 0-0 draw at Firhill.
And he says that by earning his side’s first clean sheet on the road since February that the signs are all there for things beginning to click for the new-look Cappielow outfit.
The 23-year-old now can’t wait to kick off the league action back on home soil this weekend and he warned that his side will need to be on top form of they’re to back the draw up with a win against John Rankin’s side this weekend.
He told the Tele: “Partick are a really talented team, not many teams will go there and shut them out this season.
“Last year, we didn’t quite come away with what we wanted.
"To go there at the start of the season is a tough ask, it’s a hard place to go to at the best of times. But it was a job well done.
“To go there and make a statement was pleasing, at the start of the season it was technically still pre-season.
"I think I was quite harsh with what was said after the East Fife game, so it was good to go and show that we’re clicking now, on Saturday.
“Hopefully we’re coming into a bit of form at the right time at the start of the season and are really coming together.
“I hope that we can keep it up against Hamilton and get another positive result to keep this run of form going.
“A win would be ideal, especially backing up a point gained away from home. That’s the challenge, not to give anything away at home and hopefully we can pick up three points.
“Every game this season is going to be a coin toss, but I feel like if we go out and do the right things, especially at home, with the fans behind us then we’ll be a match for - if not better than - most teams in the league. Hopefully we can put on a good performance.”
Mullen says that Saturday’s opening day draw couldn’t have been much of a better start for his side as he picked up his second clean sheet of the season.
He says he was just happy to contribute to the team performance as he helped weather the Partick storm late on in the first half – with the only thing potentially topping his afternoon being taking all three points.
He added: “It doesn’t get much better than kicking off with a clean sheet. A win might’ve topped it but I thought we were really good.
“Defensively, I thought we were solid. So, it’s a great start and something that we can definitely build from.
“It’s a clean sheet that I’m really happy with. There were a few saves that I’d managed to pull off at a really important time, including two right before half time so I was happy to contribute.
“You want to be involved as a goalkeeper and not be out the game for too long so to have made those two saves right on the break and get into the break and give them something to hold on too was really pleasing.”
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