JIM Duffy watched his side smash a 40-year hoodoo at Tannadice on Saturday and revealed how Morton even won the admiration of a Dundee United legend at full-time.

Duffy’s side dismantled Dundee United in their own back yard — and possibly their Championship title challenge — as Ton romped to an easy 3-0 win.

A headed goal from skipper Thomas O’Ware, a Scott Tiffoney wonder strike and a fine individual effort from Jack Iredale handed Duffy a famous win in the City of Discovery.

And while manager Duffy was delighted with the result afterwards, he revealed how Tangerines legend Paul Hegarty was raving about his side at full-time.   

He told Tele Sport: “The biggest compliment I got was from Paul Hegarty, who I met outside. 

“I know Paul very well and I played against him and he complimented my side.

“When you get compliments off guys like Paul Hegarty, a guy who played in the great Dundee United side, then you know your team’s done well, so I thank Paul for that, because he’s a United man through and through.

“He acknowledged our performance and thought it was quite special.”

And boss Duffy couldn’t contain his delight with the result and display, labelling it as ‘outstanding’, ‘top-class’ and a ‘fantastic achievement’.

He said: “It was an outstanding performance from start to finish.

“Every single player put in an incredible effort, we scored some outstanding goals and to come to a place like Tannadice and to win as comprehensively as we did is a fantastic achievement for our players.

“We are absolutely thrilled. You don’t get too many performances like that over the course of a season, so when you get them you have got to enjoy them.”

Ton jumped up to sixth spot in the table after their sensational result and now sit within two points of a play-off spot.

Delighted Duffy said: “The performance was a top-class performance. Every player has got to play well when you come to places like Tannadice and I think that was the case.

“From the goalkeeper to the boys who came off the bench, the attitude and desire to win the game was immense.

“And we played some terrific football as well and scored some great goals so overall, I’m absolutely delighted for the players.”

Duffy revealed how kit-man Andy Bryan was the one to bring them the news about them busting a 40-year hoodoo.

He said: “Wee Andy Bryan says it’s 40 years since we won here, so I’ll take wee Andy’s word for it.”

He added: “I said to the players beforehand we’ve come up here before and not come away with the points but I think the players had to believe in themselves and they did.

“They grew into the game and, as the match wore on, we looked more likely to score. Results like this do not happen every often, so we’ll enjoy this.”