MORTON manager Ray McKinnon says he is delighted to finally land striker Denny Johnstone at the second attempt.

The forward signed a one-year deal at Cappielow yesterday, and returns to Cappielow for a second spell after scoring 17 goals in the 2015-16 campaign while on a season-long loan from Birmingham City.

The 23-year-old earned a move to Colchester on the back of his Ton stint, but returned to Scotland again on loan to St Johnstone last season, scoring twice in 25 appearances.

McKinnon had previously tried to sign Johnstone while he was manager at Dundee United and was glad to finally land one of his top targets, after fending off competition for his signature.

He told the Tele: “I’ve been chasing Denny all close season, even before I got the job I was saying to him if I take it then I’d like him to come.

“I tried to sign him when I was at Dundee United and he went down to Colchester.

“I’ve always liked Denny and I’m absolutely delighted to be working with him this season.

“He obviously turned me down the last time, but he said to me he’s not going to make the same mistake again, which is great to hear.

“He was great at Morton last time. 

“He was young and has matured. 

“Denny’s played league football with Colchester, he came back up and played with St Johnstone, he’s at a great age and he’s exactly the type of player we’re looking for.

“The fans will love him coming back as he scored a lot of goals the last time he was here. 

“He was younger last time but we’re getting a better player this time around who is a wee bit more mature, and we beat a few clubs to his signature.”

Johnstone became McKinnon’s seventh summer signing, as he continues to shape his squad for next season.

The manager said the way he explained to the striker how he was going to set up his side and utilise him in the team was a big selling point for the forward.

He added: “I tried to explain to him how we saw him in the team, and he’s obviously got confidence in me.

“We sold him to it because we told him how we wanted him to play and how the team was going to play and it really appealed to him.

“It’s important for him to have that belief in me and I’ve got that belief in him as I’ve tried to sign him twice now and I’ve been very fortunate to get him at the second attempt.”

McKinnon’s first team squad is now up to 17, including a couple of youngsters to back up the first team.

The manager confirmed he is looking for three more players to complete his squad, wanting two more in defence and one ‘forward thinking player’.