JIM Duffy believes Jai Quitongo showed his true class against St Mirren on Saturday as the young striker tore his opponents apart.

Quitongo was outstanding against the Buddies and Duffy insists the 19-year-old has had a difficult time coping with the injury problem that plagued him for most of last season.

But the manager reckons his workhorse forward proved how unplayable he can be against the Paisley outfit by putting in a brilliant shift. 

He said: “Jai is only 19 still and he’s been injured for a long time.

“I think he was getting more frustrated than me because he’s wanted to make too much of an impact too quickly. 

“But if anything he’s a bit quicker since he’s come back!

“Today he showed his true quality, not just in his running power but his strength and the vision to lay off one for Bob McHugh as well. 

“We had a lot of good performers out there and I’m delighted for the club and the supporters.

“I’m absolutely delighted, you don’t expect to win these games in that manner. 

“It was a very difficult match throughout because when St Mirren went down to 10 men I actually thought that was as poor as we’d played for 15 minutes.

“That happens a lot, for one reason or another they lose that concentration, but we managed to re-group and capitalise on the space that they gave up. 

“But we deserved to win and even in the first-half at 1-1 we were the better side.”

Duffy was also pleased with returning defender Thomas O’Ware for strolling through his comeback after having missed the entirety of pre-season with an ankle injury. 

The 24-year-old hadn’t kicked a ball in anger all season before Saturday’s clash and his gaffer reckons he did well.

He said: “It was a tough call for me because Connor McManus has been great for us in the last couple of games and Tam O’Ware hasn’t played at all this pre-season. 

“But I just felt Thomas’s experience in these games and his strength was important and I think against John Sutton, he did really well.”

On Michael Tidser’s two spot-kicks, Duffy added: “It was two great penalties from Michael. 

“I’m never a great fan of the same guy taking two penalties in a game and normally I’d change it, but he’s very good at it and I’m delighted I didn’t change it.”