MORTON captain Jim McAlister insists all the pressure will be on this weekend’s high-spending opponents Ross County.

The Staggies are the visitors to Cappielow this Saturday as the early table-toppers clash in the Championship.

The Highland outfit have spent big this summer as they look to bounce straight back to the Premiership, with many bookies picking them as their favourites.

McAlister believes that will play in the Ton’s favour and the game be a good gauge for how his side are progressing so far this season.

He told the Tele: “It’s well documented their budget will blow most teams out of the water in this league.

“It’s a big gamble, but it’s pressure they’ve got to handle, that’s why it’s important in the game we have to ask questions of them. All the pressure will be on them. 

“They’ve recruited well and kept hold of a lot of the players that played for them in the Premiership last season. In my eyes they’re the favourites, they’ve got the strongest squad and I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. It will be a good test and a good marker for us on Saturday.

“There’s the added incentive if we win the game we can climb above them. Hopefully we can use these things as motivation.”

The former Dundee player believes Ton are improving as each game passes, but admits it is frustrating they don’t have six points on the board already.

But there was reason to be cheerful when Morton came out on top against Alloa, with the captain saying it was a great example of Ray McKinnon’s side showing a different side to their game and coming away with the three points.

He added: “We should have won the first game. 

“Going to a really difficult place in Alloa, we ground a result out there.

“You could see the confidence starting to go throughout the boys and then to go into a weekend where there’s no game is pretty frustrating in my eyes.

“Ross County had a good test against Hibs in the cup, they’ve managed to keep playing.

“We’re improving game upon game. 

“We proved that against Alloa, when it wasn’t our best footballing display, we can win ugly. If a game needs to go that way then we showed we can mix it up as well, it showed two sides to our game.”

The Rothesay-native says from a personal point of view it’s great to be back playing regularly again.

After a 15-month spell out with leg injuries, he returned to action with Morton this season.

While McAlister is enjoying playing 90 minutes each Saturday, it’s taken a bit of adjusting to.

He said: “As strange as it sounds it takes a bit of getting used to after sitting in the stands watching the football. 

“Mentally on and off the park I’m in as good a place as I’ve ever been for several years.

“There’s no fear on the park. 

“I’ve not missed any days training, my leg is good in my mind, I’m comfortable and I’m hopefully over the worst of it. 

“I’m looking forward to a good successful season with Morton.”