MORTON have been given the go ahead for 1,500 fans to attend their first game of the new league season at Cappielow on Saturday.

All four ends of the stadium will be open - with the Cowshed and Sinclair Street sections retained for season ticket holders only - and admittance by allocated time slots only.

The club had been awaiting a decision on the capacity from Inverclyde Council after the weekend cup tie against Clyde, which was treated as a test event under the current coronavirus restrictions.

Under the current public health rules still in place, fans must be seated at matches unless local councils agree to relax the provisions.

Ton were given permission to have 500 fans standing as the Cowshed reopened at the weekend for the first time since last March, with the dispensation subject to strict Covid safeguards being implemented and monitored by matchday stewards.

Fans were given dedicated entry times, allocated specific seats and rows to sit and stand in and also had to wear face coverings until leaving the stadium in reverse order at full-time.

Morton said afterwards that the 'majority of fans followed these guidelines' and the arrangements which were put in place have satisfied local safety officials ahead of the Championship kick-off against Dunfermline on Saturday.

This means Ton will now be able to accommodate all season ticket holders and sell tickets to non season-card holders as well.

No away fans will be allowed entry to the stadium, however, with the club instead continuing to provide a live streaming service which will show matches online.

Morton said: "We would like to thank Inverclyde Council for their support and co-operation.

"We would like to highlight that this increase has been granted as a result of the excellent co-operation of the fans who attended both the Airdrie and Clyde matches.

"If we’re to retain the increased capacity for upcoming matches it’s crucial that everyone follows the rules in place."

A council spokesperson said: "Following a review of the arrangements at the previous game, we have informed the club that we are content for future home matches to go ahead with 500 standing spectators in addition to 1,000 seated spectators.

"Spectators must stand in their specific designated areas and will be required to wear face coverings.

"These arrangements will remain in place until such a time when Covid-19 restrictions, particularly the physical distancing rule, are reviewed."