BOB McHugh is hoping David Hopkin’s reign brings stability to Morton after years of high turnover at the club.

The striker, who only joined the Ton in 2017, is now one of the longest serving players in the squad. While other players have returned to the club after longer previous spells, such as Chris Millar and Jim McAlister, the amount of faces coming and going over the last few campaigns has been substantial.

Only eight players from last term remain and just seven were retained at the end of the 2017-18 season.

McHugh, who signed under Jim Duffy, has also been managed by Jonatan Johansson and Ray McKinnon.

He’s hoping that after the appointment of Hopkin and his backroom staff on three-year deals, there will now be a settled period at Morton.

He told the Tele: “Me being one of the longest serving players just shows you the turnaround in the club in that time, and that’s including managers.

“Hopefully over the next few years we can get a good thing going and keep some faces around the dressing room, and the manager as well.

“Having a settled manager obviously comes from winning games and hopefully that comes this season.

“Jim Duffy signed me and then I played under Ray and JJ, and Jim McAlister and John Sutton if you want to count them.

“Last season was a bit hectic with us doing the pre-season and starting the season under one manager.

“He worked on the way he wanted us to play for so many weeks and then after three games he was away.

“It was tough but hopefully this year with a new manager and his fresh ideas and a settled team we’ll do well.”

It’s early days yet, with players only back at pre-season training for just under a week.

But McHugh says there has been a positive vibe around the squad this time around.

He added: “The dressing room has a different feel to what it was like towards the end of last season and I think that will be a positive thing.

“There’s some new faces and the new manager, he’s perfect for us.

“I think it’s going to work for us and we’ll have a decent season.

“The boys are hungry for it and looking forward to proving that.

“Training has been really good.

“It’s been tough, but this week has been a step up again.”