MORTON forward Gary Oliver believes Saturday’s sweeping victory over Queen of the South was the perfect preparation for this weekend’s cup showdown with Aberdeen.

The Cappielow men stormed past Queens with a breathtaking 5-0 win – and Oliver insists a stunning result like Saturday’s couldn’t have come at a better time for his team.

He said: “It was a wee bit surprising, especially against the league leaders, but when we turn up we can give anybody a game in this league.

"It’s a very big test for us on Saturday, probably the biggest game some of the boys have ever played in – and Saturday has given us a lot of confidence.

“It’s going to be a hard task with the injured players coming back for the gaffer to pick a team.”

Asked if the dismantling of Queens sends a message to Aberdeen, Oliver replied: “Definitely. It tells them that we can beat top teams in the league and I’m sure they’ll take a wee bit from that. A 5-0 win away against a good side makes a statement.”

Ton have visited the national stadium already this season, but the result wasn’t a favourable one.

They went down 2-0 to a feisty Queens Park outfit, but Oliver says his side’s ‘worst game of the season so far’ shouldn’t have too much bearing on this weekend’s return journey.

He continued: “We played against Queens Park but that wasn’t the best of games. In fact it was probably one of the worst of the season, but we’ll try our best again and hopefully get a result this weekend.”

A former Doonhamer, Oliver joked that Saturday’s performance was his best at Palmerston.

He laughed: “I think it’s the best I’ve ever played on that park!

“I don’t think I’ll put in many better performances than that.

“I’m pleased with how I played and it was brilliant to win so well.”

Oliver had a hand in almost every attacking thrust forward, and reckons time spent on the training pitch has helped the team enormously.

Ton netted four of their five goals from set-plays and the attacker is pleased at how well everything came off for his team on the day.

He praised the quality of the goals, citing his own as the pick of the bunch.

He smiled: “We’ve been practicing a lot of stuff in training and three or four of the goals came from things we worked on, so that was pleasing.

“We work hard and when it comes off it’s a bonus.

“I’d say my goal was the best!

“But seriously, out of all the goals it’s very hard to pick. Ross Forbes’ first one was brilliant, but every goal was good.”