MICHAEL Doyle believes the dressing room at Morton is the best he has ever been a part of and that the squad harmony at Cappielow is second to none.

The defender signed a one-year deal earlier this summer after a compensation claim from former employers Alloa scuppered a move to Greenock two years ago. 

But since he signed back in June, Doyle has relished every minute of his time at the club and it is partly down to how much he and his team-mates enjoy playing for each other.

He told the Tele: “I really am loving every minute of it here. We’re undefeated in seven games and we have gelled really quickly, especially with such a small, tight-knit squad.

“Morton is different from any changing room I’ve been in because everyone is together and that’s something I’ve never experienced.” And it wasn’t just the players that Doyle sounded out for acclaim. Boss Jim Duffy is the ‘best manager’ he has worked with, thanks in part to his attention to detail and rigorous research when looking into signing new faces.

Doyle said: “The manager does a lot of homework. He actually called three or four managers to see what kind of player I was because he wouldn’t want any player negatively affecting the changing room or causing any disruption. 

“There are never any real arguments, even if someone does something wrong. There is only encouragement.”

The 25-year-old couldn’t believe how young the squad were when he arrived at Cappielow. 

But the former Wasps defender believes the encouraging performances of Jai Quitongo, Scott Tiffoney and Lewis Strapp show the old adage of ‘if you’re good enough, you’re old enough’ applies to the Morton 
squad. 

He said: “We do have a young squad, but I didn’t realise just how young they were. 

“You don’t notice it in training or during games. From the outside looking in you might say we are inexperienced but myself, Michael Tidser, Ross Forbes and [Derek] Gaston have played a lot of games. 

“Maybe towards the end of the season the younger players will need to stand out more. 

“The last two games we’ve lost two late goals, but experience will come. 

“I don’t think age comes into it too much. We’ve shown in big games this season already that if you’ve got the right squad it doesn’t matter. Some of this team have been together for four or five years now and have built solid 
partnerships. You could have players who have played over 500 games, yet can’t play together. Some Premiership clubs have that, and we’ve beaten 
them.”

Looking ahead to the weekend’s action at home to Dumbarton, Doyle insists the visiting Sons won’t be pushovers but the Ton know what to expect from the opposition.

He added: “I know the manager Stevie Aitken from playing against Stranraer and I know Mark Docherty very well from our time at Alloa. 

“We know that they throw everything at you and that they are a very hard-working team. They beat Dundee United last weekend and showed that they can keep clean sheets in this league.”