IT has been a hectic week of activity at Cappielow as Morton boss Jim Duffy reshapes his squad for a big promotion push between now and May.

Since last week’s column was written, no fewer than four players have been recruited, with an ambitious bid also launched for former Ton midfielder Michael Tidser.

While the signing of goalkeeper Grant Adam was expected, the news last Friday night that striker Peter MacDonald was on his way back to Greenock most certainly wasn’t.

It created a real buzz amongst the support, so much so that the capture of fellow frontman Ross Caldwell from St Mirren the same day almost went unnoticed.

It’s not all been one way traffic, with skipper Andy Barrowman cutting short his time at Cappielow by mutual consent and returning to Dunfermline.

Wideman Ross Forbes has made the opposite journey, opting to quit East End Park for the Fifers’ promotion rivals.

Add in the pursuit of fans’ favourite Tidser — released last week by English Championship outfit Rotherham United — and it’s been a fairly frenetic seven days, with plenty to talk about.

Duffy will surely be pleased with the business he has conducted thus far in the January window, as his attack has been bolstered considerably and some mobility, width and creativity has been added too.

The capture of MacDonald is an excellent move, one that will not only improve the squad a great deal but perhaps lift the mood among some of the more fractious members of the Ton support as well.

Credit must go to everyone at the club who was involved in making it happen.

Former Dundee star MacDonald is a proven class act at Championship level, let alone in this league, and news of the surprise deal may have made current league leaders Stranraer, currently enjoying a five-point lead, wince a little.

After a cameo appearance as a substitute at Stenhousemuir last Saturday, 34-year-old MacDonald may have to settle for a place on the bench again tomorrow.

While he builds his fitness up, new arrival Caldwell has wasted no time in making an impression, netting a goal during a busy debut which should secure his berth in the starting 11 tomorrow.

Joining him up front will likely be Stefan McCluskey after he produced his best performance in a Morton shirt by miles at Ochilview.

The former Clyde man was undoubtedly the catalyst for a scintillating second half revival that saw the game turned on its head in a matter of minutes. Not only did he work tirelessly and display good movement as he demanded the ball at every opportunity, he also came up with the end product — which is what really matters.

After slamming home a crucial quickfire equaliser, McCluskey went on to set up two goals as confidence oozed from him.

Now the challenge is for him to try and maintain a level of performance that will keep him in the side, with the level of competition up front becoming fierce as standards are raised.

The revival which he sparked was, of course, only required because Ton yet again shipped a goal in the opening stages of the second half, with Stenny’s Colin McMenamin the beneficiary of their latest lapse.

When the players have already identified this as a problem themselves it must be all the more infuriating for the coaching staff that the same elementary concentration failures continue to be made time after time. They have to stop, or eventually it will not matter how much firepower the team has at the top end of the pitch — games will be lost and valuable points dropped.

Equally troubling was the crazy handball late in the game by Sean Crighton which conceded a needless penalty and left him and his colleagues facing a nervous last few minutes for no good reason.

It all served to reinforce the point that the team’s defensive frailty is still something which definitely needs to be addressed.

Come the end of the season, most sides who are successful tend to have strong defensive records with a decent return of clean sheets.

With 26 goals conceded already, Morton possess the kind of stats which would more normally be associated with also-rans, so there is an obvious and urgent need for improvement on this front.

The next test for the rearguard comes at Somerset Park as Ton try to record a win against Ayr United for the first time this season.

The Honest Men have run out 1-0 victors in the preceding two clashes between the two sides and a third defeat for the visitors is something which would be deeply damaging.

Given that Ayr sit second bottom of the table after an otherwise very poor season so far, there may well be an element of them raising their game whenever they face Ton, something which the visitors will have to be ready for.

United are also under new management, with Mark Roberts recently replaced in the hotseat by Ian McCall.

An experienced and wily operator, he will seek to make changes to his squad, get them more organised and boost their confidence levels.

With his players hungry to impress their new boss, it seems certain that Ton will have to impose themselves immediately tomorrow, and show they are up for the fight from the off.

TEAM LATEST MORTON manager Jim Duffy has no fresh injury concerns at the time of going to press.

Goalkeepers Derek Gaston (thigh) and Nicolas Caraux (groin) returned to light training this week but are unlikely to be available to face Ayr United.

Forward Jon Scullion, pictured, is still absent as he undergoes rehab for the knee injury suffered against Peterhead prior to Christmas.

TRAVEL NOTES THE Albert Hotel Morton Supporters’ bus for the Scottish League One game against Ayr United at Somerset Park will leave the hotel at 1pm. All are welcome with pick-ups available en route at Coronation Park (12.30pm), Norseman (12.35pm), Celtic Club (12.40pm), Inverkip (1.10pm), Wemyss Bay (1.15pm) and Largs (1.30pm). These times are approximate. To book a seat call or text Jim on 07983 600945.

THE Morton Supporters’ Club bus to Ayr leaves the club at 1.30pm with pick-ups en route.

To book a seat phone the club on 01475 888273, email gmsctravelsection@hotmail.com or leave a message on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GMSCTravel