MORTON midfielder Andy Murdoch believes last season’s competition in the Championship will be equalled this coming campaign with everyone vying to improve on their previous positions.

Queen of the South were out in front of the Championship table for a spell early last season before Ton visited Dumfries and handed out a 5-0 drubbing against the then-league leaders. 

The Doonhamers eventually fell away to finish sixth, meanwhile Dunfermline Athletic were also expected to be pushing for a play-off spot before Morton sealed fourth place by four points.

Murdoch reckons both teams will be at it again and with the introduction of Inverness Caledonian Thistle from the Premiership, Dundee United’s failure to win promotion and Livingston and Brechin City moving up from League One, the midfielder is adamant next season will be just as difficult as the season past.

He told the Tele: “I think every single team will be looking to improve. 

“The teams that are coming up will be looking to do well too. Livi are coming up, they play some good football and Brechin are coming up, you never know what you’re going to get with them.

“They’ll both be buzzing to be in the Championship and they will be difficult games. Every team in the division will be difficult to play against as it usually is but we just need to be ready for it.”