Published: Saturday, 23rd January, 2010 2:00pm

Chairman hails striker's new deal as a boost

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MORTON chairman Douglas Rae has hailed striker Peter Weatherson after the Geordie hitman committed himself to another two years at Cappielow.

Weatherson's future at the club has been in doubt recently with Partick Thistle - whose manager Ian McCall is a self-confessed admirer of the striker's ability - keen to lure him to Firhill on a pre-contract deal.

But Weatherson signed a new contract earlier this week instead - and will now lead the line at Kirkcaldy this afternoon as Ton bid for what would be a very valuable win against Raith Rovers.

Ton chairman Rae said the player's decision to pen a new Cappielow deal had come as a 'big relief' to him - and now he wants Weatherson to take his game to new heights.

He said: "We are delighted Peter has signed an extension to his contract which will mean he will be with us and hopefully banging in the goals until May 2012.

"Peter showed in the match against Celtic on Tuesday he is a great talent and well worthy of his new extended contract.

"It would be difficult to imagine Peter plying his trade in any shirt other than a Morton one."

Weatherson arrived in Greenock from Queen of the South in the summer of 2003, signed by then-manager John McCormack for a fee of £30,000.

He was converted into a makeshift defender under McCormack's successor, Jim McInally, but was an instrumental goalscoring figure in the championship success of season 2006-07, and subsequently made a return to his role as a frontman.

Now, with his future settled, Ton supremo Rae has urged the player to take his game to new heights.

He said: "We want Peter to up his game so he can become a Morton great and challenge the other players who have been leading marksmen in past years."

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