CAMMY Ballantyne says nothing replicates match action as Morton step up their preparations for the new season.
The full-back made his first appearance of the summer as the Ton were held to a goalless draw by Stranraer in a friendly at Cappielow last weekend.
Although there were clear signs of rustiness in Ian Murray’s squad, Ballantyne felt the fixture helped the side move closer to match sharpness ahead of Saturday’s Premier Sports Cup opener at home to Linlithgow Rose.
"It was good to get out with the boys. We’ve had three weeks of hard work, so it was nice to get out there and play a game," Ballantyne said.
"It’s a different feeling on game day. Waking up, it’s back to your job - getting out and playing.
"Obviously, you do as much training as you can, but nothing replicates a game.
"There were a couple of wee slack touches here and there, but that’s just the nature of it.
"Stranraer had played three or four games, so they were a bit ahead of us, but that’ll come for us.
"The tempo can change a bit when trialists come on who’ve never played with each other and the shape changes.
"But the main focus is fitness, getting a touch of the ball and getting that competitiveness back.
"Coming into this week, it’s back to training and our focus is on the cup starting."
Morton gaffer Murray named six trialists in his matchday squad for the friendly, with Ballantyne acknowledging the challenges and pressures facing players hoping to earn a contract.
"Fortunately, I’ve not had to do anything like that, but I can tell it can be tough for them," he added.
"At the end of the day, they’re trying to earn a job, so they’re trying hard and trying to understand how we play and stuff like that.
"It’s always going to be a bit disjointed, but overall, fitness and no injuries - that’s the main thing."
Ballantyne was one of the first players to commit his future to Cappielow this summer, and the 29-year-old believes the squad is shaping up well after a busy recruitment drive.
The arrival of Jayden Gorman took Morton’s tally of summer signings to seven, while a strong core of last season’s squad has also been retained.
"I was fortunate enough to get my contract sorted relatively early," Ballantyne explained.
"There are new faces, they’ve all got quality and it’s been great.
"We obviously still need a couple more to come in, so I’ve no doubt they’ll keep recruiting well. But the boys who’ve come in, and the ones who’ve stayed, are all of a high standard.
"Every gaffer has their own wee things they do in pre-season.
"The sessions have been really enjoyable - a lot more football-based and small-sided.
"The old-school days of running up hills and never seeing a ball are kind of gone now.
"It’s all been really good with the sports scientist and the gaffer, so it’s been enjoyable."
