Hard work the key

Roger Graham • Published 16 Feb 2010 14:00 0 Comments

MORTON manager James Grady has praised his players after Saturday's fine win at Dumfries and challenged them to go on a run.

He said after training yesterday: "It's testament to the boys and the hard work they have put in, but it's only a start. I said to them today that if they play like that every week they will win a lot of games."

The star man in an excellent team effort was Stevie Masterton and Grady again praised him and his attitude.

Masterton had been told before Christmas he could find another club, but he was restored to the side and played arguably his best game for Morton.

Said Grady: "He has worked really hard in training. We always told him that he was out of the team, not because of his ability but because of the things he didn't do when we didn't have the ball.

"But he worked so hard on Saturday and if he does that he makes the decision easy for us. He's proved he can do it. I think I was right to do what I did [by telling the player to look for another club], but he has responded professionally and if he plays like that he will be in the team."

Another who has been out in the cold, striker Iain Russell, was also a key man against Queen of the South. "Russell's movement gave them a different problem. He was probably braver than he's been, getting in between big Marvin Andrews and the ball, holding it up and allowing midfield players to support."

It is that commitment, evident throughout the team, which Grady wants to see consistently. He said: "We have had that in the last three games, against Celtic, Raith and Queens. I have said many times that if we bring that work-rate to the table we will win a lot of games between now and the end of the season."

Morton have meanwhile not been able to arrange a bounce match this week in order to have a final look at ex-Coventry striker Donovan Simmonds. Grady said: "We'll need to see if he's willing to wait until we get him another game."

Two players definitely out for the Ross County game at Cappielow on Saturday are Kevin Finlayson, automatically suspended after being sent off, and Kevin McKinlay, who has a two-match suspension which has carried over from his spell with Dundalk.

Grady said: "It gives someone else an opportunity to come in and cement a place."

Tweet

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 16 Feb 10

Post a comment

Comments posted in the evening, through the night and at weekends will be queued for moderation as we do not have moderators available outwith office hours.

Your Comment:

Registered users log in here

Username or email

Password

You must be logged in to post. If you have not registered with us, please do so now.

Registration only takes a few minutes. Registered users do not have to complete word verification once logged in and can also take part in competitions and other registered user only features of the site.

Word Verification:
Enter the text as shown.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.

Follow @greenocktele