LEE Kilday admits Morton will miss several stars who have moved on this summer – but is backing manager Jim Duffy to maintain their special team spirit as he rebuilds his side for next season.

Frank McKeown, Peter MacDonald, Bobby Barr, Joe McKee, Stefan McCluskey, Michael Miller, Denny Johnstone, Luca Gasparotto, Declan McManus, Alex Samuel and Paul McMullan have all departed.

Skipper Kilday reckons their exits are a real loss to the Cappielow club but remains confident Ton boss Duffy will recruit well and keep the squad camaraderie as strong as ever.

He told the Tele: “I was close to Stef, Denny and Deccy so I’ll miss them.

"Joe’s away as well and did brilliant in the second half of the season and deserves his move.

“All the boys will be missed. Peaso and big Franko – everybody who is moving on. But I’m sure the gaffer will bring in a few more boys and the spirit we’ll have will be the exact same. 

“Because the changing room we had last year was great, the spirit we had.

"Everybody was fighting for each other and I’m sure it will be the same next season whoever comes in.”

Ricki Lamie, who last month signed a one-year extension with the Ton, is in full agreement with his fellow defender.

He added: “It’s a unique situation with us because it’s a brilliant dressing room. Everybody gets on with each other.

“There have been a few confrontations after we’ve lost matches, because when everybody is so close and pally, it’s like your family and you don’t have any qualms about pulling them up.

"But there are no divisions between certain groups or certain folk; it’s just one big changing room and everybody bounces off each other.

“I think it helped us through last season. Two or three teams in the league had quality and resources there to a higher extent than the rest but we managed to compete nine times out of 10.

“No matter who was leaving they would have been missed because everybody brings something and gets involved. 

“It’s a brilliant atmosphere and if we can keep a core together — there are about 10 of us signed up — then that will give us a real chance.”