JIM Duffy has issued a rallying cry to Morton supporters as his side get set to do battle with Dundee United in tonight’s Premiership play-off first-leg at Cappielow.

Ton square-off with the Tangerines in tonight’s monumental clash and Duffy insists his side need the vocal backing of a packed out Cappielow to help them put in as strong a showing as possible — setting them up for a good run in the play-offs after a tremendous season in the Ladbrokes Championship.

He told the Tele: “It’s been terrific to get that vocal backing, it definitely helps the players and encourages them and creates atmosphere and that’s what you are looking for in these types of matches.

“We’ll be the underdogs but it’s not stopped us this season. Every time we’ve come up against big teams like Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibs, Dundee United we’ve done well, but we know most people will fancy United over the two legs. 

“But it’s our job to try and throw a spanner into the works and if you’ve got a good vocal support behind you, it helps the players, there’s no doubt about that.”

Duffy rested a number of first team stars in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with United, while the visitors played virtually a full-strength outfit in their bid to finish second in the table.

But the Ton boss was quick to shoot down any potential argument that his side did well with a weaker 11, because every player in the starting side has previous first team experience.

Asked if he was confident in his squad knowing they sealed a draw against United with a ‘weakened’ team, Duffy said: “I don’t look at it that way, we played players who have been involved the whole season.

"Young Lewis Strapp, Bryn Halliwell and Jamie McGowan aside, most of the players have that first-team experience and they’ve contributed to our performances over the season, so I didn’t really look at it other than the fact that it allowed us to give players game time and give others rest.

“But that’s only a benefit if we perform tonight. It only works if the players understand what’s required. One thing I was delighted with on Saturday was the players’ attitude. United threw everything at us but we didn’t buckle and showed terrific spirit. So I was delighted with the players and they’ve given us food for thought for tonight.

“We ask players to go and perform and that’s what they’ve done. The good thing for me is that there was positive performances and that always gives us options which is the most important thing. If you get to this stage of the season your players have played a lot of games.

“If you’ve got players who have shown they can compete against a club like Dundee United then it’s certainly a better frame of mind to be in than perhaps a negative one, so it’s much more positive and that’s important for all the players to know that they might be involved and if they are they can play a pivotal role.

“But it’s basically a two legged quarter-final and you’ve got to play it like that. With that intensity and that adrenaline. There will be some tension and a few nerves for both teams but you’ve got to handle that occasion.”