CONNOR McManus insists he has already improved as a player since joining up at Cappielow because he has learned how to help grind out results for Morton.

McManus — a youth prospect at Celtic — was used to winning games the easy way with the Hoops development squad and he admits his time in Greenock so far has been completely different from what he’s been brought up with.

He says the scrap for points in the Championship has made him a better all-rounder.

He told the Tele: “All the players here have all had good upbringings in terms of the football we play and we’ve been educated well. 

“I think, particularly for myself, I’ve been brought up playing a different style of football.

“But it’s never the same when you go up the ladder and start playing professionally because it simply doesn’t pan out that way. 

“It’s been good for me personally to learn how to go away to a tough ground and go and grind out a result. 

“That’s something I’ve never really had to do.

“In that respect it’s good that the manager can trust the so-called younger players to do that because we are a very young squad, outwith guys like Gary Harkins who has that experience out there. 

“It’s a good blend the manager has got in and we all get along. 

“The team spirit is the best I’ve ever seen.

“I’ve obviously been at a few other clubs and on loan and things like that but this is the best team spirit I’ve ever seen. And you can see that on the pitch, I feel.”

Ton suffered defeat to Falkirk in their most recent league outing before the international break. 

And 21-year-old McManus is adamant the Championship is as difficult a competition as it’s ever been.

But the midfielder maintains that as long as Ton avoid too many similar disappointments — beginning with Brechin City on Saturday — they’ll be in for another successful campaign.

He said: “We’re all really enjoying ourselves at the moment and some of the results this season have shown that. But the league this year is more difficult than ever before.

“As long as we keep chipping away and don’t suffer too many hiccups it bodes well for the club going forward. 

“I’m learning a lot from the manager and I know a lot of the other young players are as well so that’s beneficial for the club.”