STRIKER Gary Oliver hopes to hit new heights with Morton this season and believes the Greenock side are more than capable of challenging at the top end of the table.

The Ton’s pre-season preparations are drawing to a close, with their first competitive tie just three days away against Ayr United in the Betfred Cup.

There has been a lot of change at Morton over the summer, and the striker is one of eight first team players retained from last season as Ray McKinnon continues to shape his squad.

Despite the influx of new players and change in coaching staff, the forward, who scored six times last campaign, says they’re more than capable of going all the way — and he hopes to chip in with more goals.

He told the Tele: “When I met Ray he said he wanted to challenge for the league, and it’s within our capabilities with the team we’ve got.

“We all want to do that, we’ve got the quality in the team to do that so we just need to make sure we show it on the pitch.
“Personally it would be good to score more goals, but the gaffer wants goals not just from the forwards, but from all through the team.

“We’ve got more players who are creative this year, and that helps you create chances. 

“What we lacked last year was the chances we created.”

Morton have been building up for the competitive kick-off with some pre-season friendlies.

While they managed to edge past Motherwell 2-1 last week, the heat played a big factor in their goalless draw at Forfar’s Station Park on Saturday.

But Oliver said it was more about getting fit for the start of the League Cup on Saturday, rather than the quality of performance.

He said: “You could tell it was a pre-season fixture as all the boys were a bit rusty, all the other boys felt the same.

“It was a hard pitch, it was a hot day and it wasn’t the best conditions to play in, but it’s more about getting 90 minutes into the tank and getting ready for the competitive football on Saturday.”

The 22-year-old played out wide on the left wing in the game against the League One side at the weekend.

While it’s not the striker’s usual position, he says he’ll get used to playing there if required.

Oliver added: “It’s not my natural position but I played out there for Queen of the South for a while so I know it. 

“I just need to get used to it.

“It’s not my favoured position but if I need to play there I will.”

The forward hopes Ton’s preparations will stand them in good stead this season, especially after much of their training was done in the scorching temperatures which have been sweeping across the UK over the last few weeks.

He said: “It’s made training 10 times worse!

“You sweat so much because of the heat. 

“We’ve been doing a lot of running so we should be fit, especially with the heat, it helps you get fitter. 

“It certainly won’t do us any harm.”
Meanwhile, Morton’s season ticket sales have burst through the 1,000 mark this summer. 

The current figure of 1,101 represents a 41 per cent increase upon last term’s sales.

Fans can still purchase season cards for the 2018-19 league campaign by visiting www.gmfctickets.co.uk