CHRIS Millar says Morton’s 2-1 friendly victory over Motherwell was important to help create a winning mentality in the squad.

Stunning strikes from trialist Dean Hawkshaw, who was released by Kilmarnock at the end of the season, and Ton midfielder Jim McAlister in the first half were enough to seal a victory over Steven Robinson’s side in a closed-doors friendly at Garscube on Tuesday.

Wholesale changes were made at half-time, as all fit members of Morton’s current squad, trialists and some youth players got their first run-out of the season.

The competitive season is fast approaching and only two friendlies remain — one away to Forfar today and a closed-doors game against Queen’s Park on Tuesday.

While Millar, who played 45 minutes in the second half on Tuesday, isn’t reading too much into the 2-1 scoreline, he believes it is important to get a winning feeling instilled in the dressing room as early as possible ahead of Ton’s first Betfred Cup game away to Ayr United on July 14.

He told the Tele: “It’s only pre-season and you can’t put too much into it, but I think it’s about getting that winning mentality and building that confidence.

“If you’re winning games against Premiership sides it shows that you’re going in the right direction.

“It was great to get back in, the pitch was very tight and the heat and the surface made it more difficult.

“But we looked in good shape and for a team that’s just been put together really, right away I think the boys have gelled really well.

“The gaffer obviously has a way he wants to play and he put that across to the players before the game, and I think everybody played their part and everybody that played did really well.

“The two goals were outstanding. Conceding was a negative but there were a lot more positives than negatives.

“It gives us things to work on at the training park and to get them right before we get into the competitive games.”

Millar was manager Ray McKinnon’s first signing of the summer, re-joining the club after a 10-year spell at St Johnstone.

The experienced midfielder spent five seasons at Cappielow during 2003-8, making a total of 207 appearances, winning both the Second and Third Division titles in his time at the Greenock side.

Since he joined the club at the beginning of June, the new boss has secured eight new signings, as well as re-signing a host of out-of-contract players.

Millar says he has been impressed with the quality of the players coming through the doors at Cappielow.

He added: “The gaffer has recruited really well, everyone’s shown up really well in training and they’ve all come back with good fitness levels.

“I’m surprised with how fit the boys are.

“I’m really pleased to get started and we’ve all settled in really well and the squad’s looking very good.”