REECE Lyon has backed new Morton signing Kyle Jacobs to be a hit at Cappielow.

Manager David Hopkin signed the South African-born midfielder last week on a one-year deal as he ended four years at Queen of the South.

The ex-Kilmarnock and Livingston player, who played under Hopkin when he was the assistant manager at Almondvale, made over 100 appearances for Queens in the last few seasons.

Jacobs was a thorn in Ton’s side last season in the Championship, scoring a superb strike from 30 yards out at Palmerston when the two teams drew 1-1. Lyon played against him in the middle of the park, praising the 27-year-old for his workrate and comparing him to playing in a role similar to Chelsea and French midfielder N’Golo Kante.

But Lyon says he’s still got one-up on his new teammate, and believes he’s scored the better goal than him at Palmerston last season, when his own spectacular strike clinched a late 2-1 win on his full debut for the side.

He told the Tele: “I played against him a few times last season, he’s a good player — he gets about the pitch a lot and gets the ball back.

“I think it’s a good signing.

“I’ve played against him two or three times, he’s somebody like Kante, runs about and gets the ball back.

“He scored a good goal down at Palmerston. It wasn’t as good as mine though!”

Meanwhile, Morton will face Premiership side St Johnstone at home in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday July 9. Kick-off will be at 7.45pm, with the club confirming ticket prices in due course.