NEW signing Gary Oliver has taken to life at Morton like a duck to water and hopes to continue that smooth transition as the club shift into their competitive matches.

Forward Oliver hit the ground running in Greenock by netting two goals in his first three appearances for the Ton, scoring in bounce games against a team of trialists and Dundee.

READ MORE: Versatility is part of new Morton signing Gary’s game

According to the 20-year-old, it has been a confidence-building beginning that he is aiming to sustain as the Sinclair Street side make their first public appearance in tomorrow night's friendly at Livingston.

Oliver told the Tele: “I’ve played three and a bit bounce games so far. We’ve played a couple of trialist teams, Dundee and then Airdrie.

“I only played 15 minutes of the Airdrie game because I played against Dundee. I’ve been playing in my preferred position, just behind the striker or up front, so far and feel I have been doing well.

READ MORE: Versatility is part of new Morton signing Gary’s game

“We have been mixing it about. I’ve played up front with Thomas Orr and with the boy Jamie [McDonagh] at Dundee.

“I scored the equaliser against Dundee and that was a decent game. We did well against a good side and more than matched them.

“I also scored the game before in the closed-doors game, so that took me to two in two, and goals definitely give you confidence.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s in training, a bounce game or a competitive game – I want to score in every game.

READ MORE: Versatility is part of new Morton signing Gary’s game

“It’s good for you to get in the habit of scoring goals. I’ve been able to do that so far so hopefully it keeps on going and I can take that confidence into the season.”

As well as fitting in well out on the pitch, Oliver has also settled in quickly off the field and says he has been made to feel at home by his new team-mates.
He explained: “We’ve been back just over two weeks and everybody has been very welcoming and I’ve not felt out of place.

“All the boys are roughly the same age as me, so it’s quite close-knit team. The boys meet up every week to go out for something to eat. I’ve been with them twice now and feel comfortable.

“They’re all really good football players, too, which helps! It’s one of the best clubs I’ve been to and I’ve settled in really fast. I’ve really enjoyed it so far; it’s brilliant.”

The Ton squad travel in to training and home matches together in a number of different car schools, and Oliver and fellow new boy Michael Doyle were immediately invited into the fold.

He said: “The first day I was in the boys were welcoming me. There was the usual chat and they asked where I was from and said: ‘Travel in with us and we’ll take a day each.’

“There are four of us. There is me, Thomas O’Ware, Mikey Doyle and Jon Scullion. We all take a turn each of driving through and that makes life easier as well.

“There’s two of us in the car who are new signings: me and Mikey Doyle – and Mikey Doyle hasn’t shut up since he came to the club! He can talk alright, but he’s a great boy.”

Part of the Parklea initiation - one that the forward always knew to expect - has been a good-natured ribbing about him being manager Jim Duffy’s nephew.

He laughed: “I’ve had a few wee bits. Michael Tidser has been trying to get a bite out of me. ‘Go and have a word with your da,’ he says. ‘Tell him to calm the training doon a bit.’

“So I’ve been getting a wee bit of stick, but it’s just the boys having a laugh and I’ve been taking it well.”

•         Kick-off at the Tony Macaroni Arena in tomorrow night’s friendly is at the earlier than usual time of 7pm, with admission priced at £10 for adults and £5 for all others.