MORTON manager Jonatan Johansson admits his squad will be fully tested as they tackle two lengthy away trips in the space of just four days.

The Ton head to Dingwall today to play Ross County, which is followed up by a Tuesday night journey to Dumfries to play Queen of the South.

The Greenock side’s team bus will rack up over 600 miles travelling across the country in a short period of time.

The Finn says he can take some comfort in the fact his substitutes impressed against Falkirk last weekend, as he expects a number of changes between the games.

Johansson told the Tele: “It’s a strange one with the fixtures happening like that but it’s part of football to recover for games.

“It will be difficult as we’re not back until late on Saturday night after a tough game so the players need to be ready.

“I was really happy with all three subs who came on against Falkirk. Reghan [Tumilty] came on all of a sudden in the first half.

“It’s difficult for a defender to come straight in like that with no warm-up and I felt he did really well.

“Bob [McHugh] came on and scored a goal and Jack [Iredale], pictured below, is a fantastic squad player in a positive sense.

“He can start as well but he can play in numerous positions and you know what you’re going to get from him, and we’re going to need everyone in the squad for these two games.”

The first game of the hectic period doesn’t come much harder, with Ton facing the league leaders on their home turf.

Johansson is hoping his experience as Rangers coach last season, when they played the Staggies several times in the Premiership, as well as Morton being the only team to beat the Highland outfit so far in the Championship, will give his side an added edge.

But the Finn admits his team will be up against it, with the hosts likely to have a size advantage over their Ton counterparts.

He added: “We are a small team, we have to admit it, especially with the injuries to our forward players as well.

“It’s something we’re aware of and something we need to control, and I feel we’ve done that quite well. 

“It will be interesting to see how they line up as well.
“We need to compete physically, they’re quite direct at times and at certain times they can play really well, they’ve got some good footballers and kept most of the team from the Premiership.

“I know the Ross County players quite well as we analysed them last season. 

“We don’t know how the team will line up, but players have certain traits so it’s good for me I know that.

“But the players beat them at Cappielow, and the boys will take some confidence and belief from that game.

“I watched the game and we played well and we scored two good goals. I know we can score goals — it’s just a matter of keeping a clean sheet.”