BRIAN McLean has told his Morton team-mates to treat every fixture like a cup final as they prepare for a tense second half to the season.

The veteran centre-half has also urged fringe players to be ready to step up to the plate with the first team being hit by injuries to Bob McHugh and Cameron Salkeld recently.

He told the Tele: “It’s important that we treat every game as a cup final and we put in the performance that we did against Arbroath.

“That’s the bare minimum that’s expected now.

“That’s the benchmark that we need to meet, week-in, week-out and it’s our job in the dressing room to meet that level and to get that out of each other, whether we’re in the starting 11 each week or not.

“That’s the level that we have to give.

“Everyone’s got to stick together now, because you never know what could happen. I mean, you’ve got Bob McHugh out with his injury, Cameron Salkeld is struggling to get back fit, there will be chances that come up.

“It’s imperative that the boys on the fringes are ready to step up and fill that void, like myself.

“We’ve not thought as far as the St Johnstone cup game yet, but that’s a game where the shackles will be off, and all the pressure will be on them.

“Why can’t we come back with something to cheer about and then have what looks like a successful season?”