GOALKEEPER Conor Brennan has revealed how some words of encouragement from glove rival Derek Gaston helped prepare him for his Morton debut during Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over Dumbarton.

Northern Irishman Brennan, 23, told how Gaston sent him an early text message to make sure he was ready to go for the big game at the Rock.

Gaston succumbed to a virus before the game but he made sure Brennan was kept up to speed so that he’d be ready when called upon.

Brennan made a couple of important saves and blocks to ensure Ton kept a clean sheet.

And the former Kilmarnock, Stranraer and Raith Rovers shot-stopper is thankful to Ton favourite Gaston for giving him the heads-up.

He told Tele Sport: “Derek actually dropped me a text during the day and said ‘I’m struggling a wee bit, just be prepared to play’, but I prepare to play for every game anyway. That’s just the way I am. But it was nice of Derek to drop me a wee text and give me the heads-up. Then it was a case of getting my mind right.

“But I’ve played in this league before so I know what it’s all about. I’m used to it.”

Brennan, who signed from Ballymena United last month, was quickly in the thick of it, touching over a goal bound effort from Sons midfielder Dimitris Froxylias after just 47 seconds.

He said: “It was a quick one! We said before the game that the boy can shoot and shoot from anywhere.

“We saw his goal on Saturday against TNS, so we knew what he was capable of. I knew when he was on the ball that there was a good chance he was going to hit it.

“He caught it well and caught it clean, so I was happy to be called in so quickly, because it settles you down a wee bit, coming in for my first game. It gives you a wee boost.

“Of course, the boys in front of me did a fantastic job, so it’s a win, three points and a clean sheet. It’s certainly what we came for. It was a good start.”

That win put Ton four points clear of promotion play-off rivals Dunfermline and Queen of the South and Brennan reckons Jim Duffy’s side are now in a very healthy position.

He said: “We’re certainly picking up a wee bit at the right time. The manager said before the game on Tuesday that we’d rather have people chasing us than us chasing them.

“That was a wee game in hand and we went out and got three points, so that keeps us in the play-off position at the minute and it’s ours to lose, if you want to look at it that way.”

It’s been just over four weeks since Brennan signed from Ballymena United and he’s loving life at Cappielow.

He revealed: “It’s been brilliant, really good. We have got a great dressing room, we’re all tight and we’re all good.

“It’s a good bunch of lads together so that certainly helps. And there’s a good atmosphere about the place at the minute and it shows on the pitch.

“There’s togetherness and the boys have made me feel more than welcome, so I’m really enjoying it at the minute.”