CHRIS Millar says his first double in over 12 years was worth the wait as he secured Morton’s first league victory of the campaign against Alloa on Saturday. 

The midfielder hadn’t scored in over three and a half years, but fired in two as he helped the Ton to a 2-0 victory over Alloa Athletic.

It was his first double in over 12 years since helping the Cappielow outfit to a 2-1 win over Gretna in 2006.

The 35-year-old only scored nine goals in his 10 seasons at St Johnstone, but now has two just two league games into his second spell at Morton, after leaving the Perth club in the summer.

Millar said: “To get one was good, but to get two I’m delighted and picking up the three points, it’s been a good day’s work.

“Believe it or not I score quite a bit in training, and it’s just about getting into the right areas and getting the opportunity.

“When I first spoke to Ray McKinnon about bringing me here he thought I’d be sitting a bit deeper, but he’s playing me on the right hand side of the three in midfield and it gives me a bit more licence to go forward.”

Morton opened the scoring when the 35-year-old pinched possession off Liam Dick, before carving apart the Wasps defence and slotting in a neat sidefooted finish 15 minutes in.

Alloa were more than a handful for the visitors though, and Motherwell loanee Jake Hastie and Greig Spence had a number of chances for the hosts.

Morton had to dig deep to secure the win on Saturday, and Millar says they need to do the ugly side of the game more if they’re to be successful this season.

He added: “I think that’s so important. I felt that’s what we lacked a wee bit in the second half.

“It’s about being organised, getting in people’s faces and being dogged and that’s what we need to do.

“We’re a good footballing side and you can see that in the first half, but we need to do both sides of the game.”

Millar became the seventh different player to score for Morton so far this season, and he believes it’s a good sign to see so many different names getting on the scoresheet.

He said: “The gaffer had said that he wanted the team to chip in from all areas. Michael Tidser has scored a few goals, Ross MacLean has as well and I’ve come up with a couple.

“You need goals from everywhere but fair play to Alloa. In the second half I thought they were excellent, they put us under a lot of pressure.

“It was a testament to the boys to dig in and grind out the result and get the victory.

“Those ones will be important as I think a lot of teams will come here and drop points.”

But it wasn’t to be the part-timers’ day, as Millar curled in a superb 25-yard effort nine minutes from time to wrap up the points.

After leaving Saints in the summer, Millar says it’s been great to be back at his home town club again, after previously playing for the Greenock side from 2003-08.

He added: “I’m loving it back here, it’s been a fantastic move for me.

“I’m really enjoying it. I’m a local lad, I supported Morton when I was growing up and long may it continue.”