PROUD Geordie Cameron Salkeld knows all about the passion of a fierce local derby match - and now he is looking forward to a taste of Renfrewshire rivalry.

The Morton attacker says he cannot wait to get stuck in when Ton's televised Betfred Cup group clash against St Mirren comes around.

Salkeld had no idea about the passion surrounding the county clash but has been given a crash course in it by his team-mates and says it sounds right up his street.

He told the Tele: “These are the games you live for really.

“I will not be underestimating it by any means.

"I’m a massive Newcastle fan who grew up supporting them because that’s where I’m from.

"So I’ll be treating the St Mirren game like a Tyne-Wear derby, it’s as simple as that.

“I know now the rivalry is massive.

"Coming in from the outside I didn’t understand it at first.

"But after speaking to the boys here like Lewis Strapp, Reece Lyon and Chris Millar I know how big it is.

"I know what’s going to be expected of us when the time comes around.

“I’m really looking forward to it and hopefully we can go and do the business when the time comes, it will be a massive game for us."

Salkeld is also acutely aware that there are big challenges to face in the league first.

He told the Telegraph: "In all honesty, we’ve got 27 cup finals in the league this season.

"They’re all big games for us with hardly any room for error.

“It’s going to be a tough league this year obviously with a massive team in Hearts coming down and then Raith coming up.

"They’ve made some good signings - obviously Reghan Tumilty from here has gone there, so we know competition is going to be tight.

“I think our aspect this season is initially going to be to stay in the league because a team like Morton should be in this league, minimum, and then we will see how things go from there much like last season.

“But if we start well then who knows what could happen – hopefully we can build on last season.”

The former Gateshead favourite says the lockdown has given everyone 'a clean slate' to go and impress - and he is determined to nail down and a regular starting spot.

He said: “It’s an equal playing field for everyone this season.

“There’s 11 positions up for grabs and it's up to me to try my best and get one of those.

“Everyone’s come into pre-season raring to go which has been great.

“I’d like to think I’ve done alright in pre-season so far and I’m feeling fit, so I’m looking forward to the season starting.

“It’s a race for who can get the shirts really and if I get a position you’d better believe I’ll try my hardest to keep it."