MORTON midfielder Chris Millar says he’s been impressed by the new coaching staff and their approach to training after returning to pre-season last week.

The 36-year-old and the rest of the Ton squad made their way back to Cappielow on Thursday as they began their work for the campaign ahead.

Manager David Hopkin and his backroom staff arrived at the club last month, and after their first few days back at work Millar says that he’s excited for the year ahead.

He told the Tele: “It’s been really enjoyable, right from the off the manager has set the standards he expects from everybody — which is to work really hard, make it enjoyable and to have a good atmosphere.

“As soon as we get to the training ground and the balls are out it’s time to work, and he’s emphasised that from day one.

“I’ve been very impressed with him and his backroom staff. 

“He’s implementing his own changes along the way and I think it’s been really good and professional and the boys have responded to it really well.

“The first day everyone comes in it can be really quiet, but you could see after the second or third day everyone was starting to come out of their shells a wee bit.

“It will take time for the team to gel and get to know each other, but the signs are really good and there’s a lot of boys that have points to prove in their careers.

“The manager has identified that with players he’s brought in who are hungry and want to work hard, and the biggest thing I’ve taken from the manager so far is to work hard.

“He wants us to be really fit and there will be teams that have bigger budgets and whatever else, and the expectations are more on them, but we want to make ourselves a really hard team to play against, be in their faces and really fit.

“The sessions have been high intensity and I’ve been enjoying it.”

Millar says there is a different feel around the club now with Hopkin in charge, and admits his organisation and attention to small details have stood out early on.

He added: “One thing about the new manager is he’s been super organised. He knows exactly what he wants from his team.

“He knows exactly how his training sessions will go, the structure of the club to function and it’s all the little things he’s implementing like being based at Cappielow, the pre-hab, the dressing rooms and dugouts being done.

“It’s small things that are simple to implement and the manager has demanded them and the board have backed him.

“You come in and you can see what he’s trying to do, it’s structured and organised.

“It’s enjoyable and the first few days I’ve enjoyed it.”