Firhill draw job well done if Hamilton clash ends in victory

But given the massive chasm in resources between the two clubs there couldn’t have been many of a Morton persuasion, who didn’t walk out of the rustic main stand at Firhill with a sense of satisfaction at a job well done against Kris Doolan’s much-fancied title hopefuls.

Morton were in top form in their opening day draw (Image: Gary Bradley)

After their disappointing League Cup performances, Dougie Imrie’s team did a great job of silencing the critics, while also providing some green shoots of optimism to some of the more concerned members of the Cappielow faithful, this observer included.

Perhaps what was most encouraging about Saturday’s result was that the draw was by no means a backs-to-the-wall effort, with Morton never looking overawed and giving as good as they got against such expensively assembled opposition.

There were of course no failures in blue and white on the day, but special mentions should be reserved for Cammy Ballantyne, who didn’t give Jags dangerman Aidan Fitzpatrick an inch, and to Owen Moffat, who was a constant threat on the left hand side of Morton’s attack.

Ali Crawford put some sceptics’ minds at rest with an encouraging performance on his return to the club after a disappointing loan spell just over a year ago.

The imperious Iain Wilson, though, was an absolute standout, and I’d suspect that Imrie will mould his team around the influential midfielder as the season goes on.

(Image: Gary Bradley)

But the shoe is on the other foot going into this weekend, as Morton will be looking towards the visit of newly promoted Hamilton with their sights clearly set on collecting three points against the only club who sat alongside Ton as 25/1 title outsiders before a ball was kicked this season.

Though it should be added that John Rankin has also been busy this summer.

The acquisitions of Nikolay Todorov from local rivals Airdrie and Oli Shaw from Barnsley has raised some eyebrows and though the goals are yet to arrive for the pairing, I’d imagine Rankin will be hoping they’ll be enough to make the difference of Accies this season.

The arrival of former Ayr winger Daire O’Connor from Glentoran should be another astute move, and ex-Ton defender Sean McGinty will likely take on the pantomime villain role from Brian Graham at Cappielow this weekend.

Quite how the mood in the Accies camp is however, is up for debate.

A reported 'wage row' on the eve of the season and a disappointing start with a home defeat to Ayr which saw captain Scott Martin sent off, which means he'll miss this weekend’s trip to Greenock, suggests all may not be well behind the scenes at New Douglas Park, and it would be difficult not to question the logic in making such high-profile signings on purported long-term deals when cash flow is such an issue.

Morton boss Dougie Imrie's attentions now turn to Hamilton (Image: Gary Bradley)

But none of that is Morton’s business, and Imrie’s mind will be focused on ensuring that his own side are prepared for the task at hand.

While Jay Emmanuel-Thomas looked a bit ring-rusty, hopefully another week on the training ground will help him towards full fitness, and I may be in the minority in suggesting it, but I was more encouraged by the late cameo of Lemar Reynolds at Firhill.

While the contrast between the performance in Glasgow last weekend and that in Methil three weeks previous was stark, Imrie will understand there’s no point in getting a good result and performance at one of the more difficult venues in the division unless that is followed up with a similarly positive return from this weekend’s visit of our friends from South Lanarkshire.

Having emphasised the need to start the season sharply, with Morton having suffered from slow starts in the previous two, four points from the first six would be a satisfactory start.