NEW Morton manager Gus MacPherson has revealed that the offer of a return to management at Cappielow has reignited the fire in his belly as he looks to steer the club to Championship safety.

The 52-year-old today told the Tele that he jumped at the chance at a return to management after discussions with chairman Crawford Rae and is looking forward to starting the next chapter of his managerial career.

Having taken training with assistant Andy Millen yesterday morning, the newly-appointed Ton boss, who will take charge until the end of the season, says that he is delighted to be back on the training ground as he sets his focus on his side’s trip to play-off chasers Dunfermline tomorrow.

MacPherson exclusively told the Tele: “I’m really looking forward to being back in the dugout in all honesty.

"I’ve had a couple of years as a technical director up at St Mirren and made it quite clear that I didn’t want to go into the technical area at that point.

“That position was mostly dealing with agents and things like that and now I’m lucky enough to find myself back in a more familiar position at the side of the park.

“I’d say when the opportunity came up, it reignited the fire in my belly and that was the phrase I’d used when speaking to Andy about the position as well.

Morton appoint Gus MacPherson as new manager

“I’m really looking forward to it, even this morning to be out in the freezing cold wind and the rain at the Battery Park shouting and barking orders again, it felt like a bit of normality again.

“It was all quite light-hearted. It was good to get amongst the boys and get a feel for the group, so hopefully I can get a sit-down with them over the next few weeks and get to know them a bit better.

“It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours or so getting everything agreed and sorted.

“I spoke to the board and it was really quite straightforward from there, we all know where we’re at and what the task in hand is so we’re looking forward to getting going.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge presented to me here.

“We know what the Championship is all about and as to how tough it can be.

“With the reduced games we knew how competitive it was going to be and it’s not surprised anyone I don’t think in how it’s panned out so far.

“It’s going to be extremely tight with the eight games remaining and hopefully we can get more wins than not going into the final eight games.”

MacPherson admitted that his first steps into the role have been helped by Tuesday night's victory over Inverness which was overseen by former interim boss Anton McElhone, below.

Greenock Telegraph:

The former St Mirren and Queen's Park manager hopes that he can finish the campaign by consolidating Morton's position in the Championship as well as look ahead to next season.

He said: “It’s never an ideal scenario when a club changes manager, whether it’s eight games or 28 games – you’ve just got to try and get your message across to the players as best and as quick as you can.

“I think the most important thing is that the team went and got a crucial three points up at Inverness.

“That certainly helps and shows that there was an improvement from the Ayr United game and hopefully we can use that to gain a little bit of momentum going forward.

“The main focus is to galvanise the group and strengthen the position as a football club and then going forward hopefully you’ll see us working with the board to help plan ahead in every aspect with the preparations for next season."