The midfielder was as high as a kite after signing a two-and-a-half year contract to seal a longed-for return to Cappielow and end an unhappy spell in England.

But his world was brought crashing down when it became apparent he was ineligible to play for the club this term and would be left looking on from the sidelines helplessly as Ton attempt to get out of League One.

He told the Tele: “To be honest, I felt heartbroken when I found out I wouldn’t be able to play this season.

“I felt worthless and my emotions are all over the place.

“I went from signing the contract on Thursday afternoon and coming up the road with a smile on my face to nearly greeting my eyes out on Thursday night when I found out about the rule.

“Playing football is something I’ve done ever since I’ve been a wee boy, and to be told you can’t do it … it almost feels as though I’m getting punished for nothing.

“People take drugs and get a ban that amounts to less time out of football than I’m looking at. It’s six months of my career out the window.

“The whole reason I came up the road and back to Morton was to play football and be happy, and now I feel as though I’m right back to square one.

“It’s not just me it affects, it’s my family as well. They’re devastated.

“I’m not going to lie, it’s been a difficult few days trying to digest it and get my head round it, and I’m struggling if I’m honest.

“As a player I can’t contribute and that’s been the hardest part.

“Hopefully time will be a healer sort of thing and the days and weeks will fly by quicker than I think they will.

“Watching the game on Saturday night from the stand, I was kicking every ball and was desperate to be out there to try and help the lads. And that was only one game.

“I’m going to have another 14.

“My agent apologised to me but I’m not blaming him; it’s a stupid rule that doesn’t make any sense.

“You can sign for three clubs but only play for two — tell me the logic in that?

“Surely there should be special dispensation in certain cases.

“I mean, I’d have understood if I’d played 15 games for both clubs [Rotherham and Oldham].

“Okay, that would have been understandable.

“But I only played 27 minutes off the bench for Rotherham in the league and then went out on loan because I wasn’t featuring.

“What I thought I was doing at the time was the right thing for my future, but I’m getting punished for it now.

“There’s nothing anyone can do. I need to take my medicine and get on with it.

“At the end of the day, the rule’s there and you have to live by it.” The club are hopeful the 25-year-old will at least be available to turn out for the Under-20s in the development league west between now and the summer.

Tidser added: “In terms of the future, I’m a Morton player and I’ll be there as normal and continue to train with the club for the rest of the season.

“I’ll train with the team and try and help the young lads as much as I can.

“I’ll be watching the games as a fan and hoping the boys can win the league.

“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to play for the Under-20s.

“If I’m eligible it’ll allow me to keep fit as well as help the young boys in their development, so hopefully that turns out to be the case.”