FOLLOWING an eventful transfer window packed full of surprises Morton’s squad for the remainder of the season is complete — and now it is down to them to deliver on the park.

The arrival of February traditionally marks a step change when it comes to the pursuit of promotion; this is the time of the year which sorts pretenders from contenders, when things can change very quickly and dropped points suddenly seem much more costly.

As the business end of the campaign draws near, it must be said that the men from the Tail o’ the Bank look to be in a strong position.

Nestled in second place, they have league leaders Stranraer trained firmly in their sights and have reinforced their squad in a way which will send a shudder down the spine of their rivals.

Having completed the signings of Peter MacDonald, Ross Caldwell, Grant Adam and Ross Forbes, they looked to be in good shape.

So when the news broke on Monday evening that top scorer Declan McManus was also returning to the club for a further loan from Aberdeen, it was no surprise that the bookmakers moved quickly to make them outright title favourites.

Jim Duffy now has such a surfeit of striking options at his disposal that the only problem might be accommodating them all.

With 12 goals in 21 matches, McManus showed over the first five months of the season what a terrific asset he can be, while Cowshed idol MacDonald has netted three goals in three starts and Caldwell has not only found the target but also established himself as a very good foil for others up front.

In short, the Greenock men boast attacking assets which would be the envy of most Championship sides, never mind League One outfits.

They now have to find a way of making that pay, and it will be interesting to see what Duffy and Craig McPherson do to accommodate the formidable strikepower they have at their disposal.

Their dilemma is wider than just squeezing everyone in and adopting a mid-1990s Kevin Keegan-esque ‘we’ll score one more than you’ mindset.

Although they have unrivalled strength in depth up top and attack may at times be the best form of defence, it simply cannot be at the expense of the latter.

It’s now a question of getting the right balance to the team on each given Saturday — because if Morton can achieve solidity in the middle of the park and keep things tight at the back, then they certainly have the players to score freely enough.

If they can step up the number of clean sheets then you would obviously back them to win most games with the likes of MacDonald and McManus lying in wait up front.

But they will have to earn the right to success — as a lesson from the club’s recent history shows.

A decade ago, Ton were in the same league as they are now and spent the last half of the season unsuccessfully trying to chase down much less heralded sides in the shape of workmanlike but highly proficient Brechin City and Stranraer teams.

They could call on established players like Peter Weatherson, Andy McLaren, below right, Chris Millar and big money buy Chris Templeman, yet they ultimately came up short, finishing third at the end of the campaign.

Ten years on, Stranraer are once again in the mix and they still lead the way.

It would be most foolish to assume that they or Forfar — and anyone else for that matter — will give anything up lightly.

These teams will not concede an inch.

Every 50-50 ball will be battled for and each point will be keenly contested — and in that respect Morton showed encouraging title credentials last Saturday at Station Park. They’d looked like a bunch of disparate strangers on their earlier visit but this time it was a different story altogether.

Ton showed real resolve to get back in front quickly after losing a second-half equaliser, and while their mettle was severely tested in the latter stages, they held on for a vital victory.

It was only the second time that Dick Campbell’s men had tasted defeat at home in the league, so this was a significant win.

As hackneyed as it sounds, it may well be the sort of afternoon Morton look back upon later in the campaign and recognise as a pivotal moment.

For now though, to use another well worn but no less valid expression, they will simply take each hurdle as it comes and try to get up a head of steam.

With yet more difficult away fixtures looming at Brechin and Peterhead before the month is out, it’s vital they make the most of home advantage when they take on Stirling Albion at Cappielow tomorrow afternoon. The rock bottom Binos have had a difficult campaign but they are a side who have given Ton one or two headaches already this term. They proved stubborn if not exactly threatening opposition at Cappielow back in October, when a late second goal was required to finally put the game to bed.

The return fixture at Forthbank at the end of December saw them take a 3-1 lead into the closing stages before the visitors stormed back, staging a remarkable turnaround to win 4-3. You can bet Albion will still be smarting from that capitulation and will want to put it right.

In addition, their need for points is just as pressing as Morton’s, albeit for entirely different reasons.

But if Morton’s mindset is right and they can set the tone early and dictate play, they will surely be well on their way to safely collecting another three crucial points.

TEAM LATEST RETURNING top scorer Declan McManus is available for selection, as is Jamie McCluskey, who has been able to train this week after recovering from a hamstring strain.

Serbian defender Stefan Milojevic, though, is still unavailable as he completes the second of a two-match suspension for the straight red card he was shown in an Under-20s match against Queen of the South.

Conor Pepper (knee), Jordan Cairnie (knee) and Aidan Ferris (ankle) are all major doubts after picking up injuries against Airdie Under-20s on Monday night.

Stefan McCluskey (calf), Ricki Lamie (groin) and Sean Crighton (illness) are also struggling and will be monitored with tomorrow in mind.

On a positive note, teenage forward Jon Scullion played 85 minutes against the Diamonds second string as he made his comeback after a six-week lay-off.

But he is unlikely to be considered for selection for the first-team until he gets more Under-20 games under his belt.

TRAVEL NOTES THE Albert Hotel Morton Supporters’ bus for the Scottish League One match against Stirling Albion at Cappielow tomorrow will leave the hotel at 2.30pm.

Prices are £3 for adults return and £2 for concessions return. There’s no need to pre-book and all are welcome.

The club are also taking bookings for the bus to Glebe Park for the Scottish League One clash against Brechin City the following Saturday. The bus will leave the hotel at 11.30am.

All are welcome with pick-ups available en-route.

To book a seat call or text Jim on 07983 600945.