MORTON manager Jonatan Johansson praised his senior players for stepping up to help out his side at the weekend.

The Ton drew 1-1 with Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday, the Finn’s first game in charge since taking over at the club earlier this month.

While he has spoken of his disappointment at conceding a late goal, after leading from Michael Tidser’s penalty on 12 minutes, the manager said there were plenty of positives to draw upon.

One of those was his senior players taking the lead on the pitch, helping the manager out while he adjusts to his first managerial role and helping to carry out his instructions.

He told the Tele: “It’s very important for the experienced players especially, our game management on the pitch is so important.

“There are so many things that are going on and it’s so important you have a good relationship with your senior players and to have that in Jim McAlister, Chris Millar and Michael Tidser, as well as other players in the team.”

The former Rangers and Finland international admitted he had little time to take in the experience of his first time as a manager in the dugout.

He has previously been an assistant with both the Ibrox outfit and the Finnish national team, and said the new experience didn’t faze him.

Johansson added: “You don’t think about it too much, I’ve been in the dugouts so many times.

“I’ll probably look back on it positively in time, but you’re so involved at the time, before the game and during the game that you don’t have much time to think where you are.”