Morton return to league business against Kilmarnock

This will of course be their second trip to Rugby Park already this term, having faced off against Tommy Wright's men in the League Cup during July.

On that occasion they were forced to name a somewhat threadbare squad, following a Covid-19 outbreak at the club which led to another group tie being forfeited.

Ton did tremendously well that evening, their side sprinkled with young and inexperienced players taking a shock first half lead and coming so close to victory.

It took a last gasp leveller from the home side to deny them and force the match into a penalty shootout, from which Killie ultimately prevailed.

Tomorrow's encounter should be a different kettle of fish, for lots of reasons.

Not only is this meeting a Championship one, almost two months on a lot has changed in terms of personnel, with Morton signing no fewer than four new players in a frantic spell before the end of the transfer deadline last week.

Gus MacPherson added Newcastle United loanee duo Oisin McEntee and Tom Allan and took Finn Jaakko Oksanen from Brentford on a temporary transfer until January, with the trio adding to the earlier capture of Gavin Reilly from Livingston for the season.

It was a frenetic end to the window, reflecting the fact that MacPherson was made to wait before deals could be concluded.

He had made it clear that the club was not in a position to dictate the pace of deals and has had to show a considerable degree of patience to get his targets over the line.

Now he'll hope that is rewarded, and on the face of it Ton look to have concluded some good business.

For a start, it is encouraging to see a bit of imagination with the three signings from down south making a refreshing change to the merry-go-round of familiar faces readily available in the SPFL who may not have added a great deal.

The homework has been clearly been done, the players are individuals who were on MacPherson's radar and contacts have been put to good use.

At 20-years-old, defender McEntee has been farmed out as part of the next stage of his development but he looks to have a decent pedigree, having captained his club's under-23s and just been away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland under-21s.

His arrival stiffens and completes Ton's rearguard and the highly-regarded prospect will be looking to come in and make an impact on his first foray into first-team senior football.

Clubmate Allan, a 21-year-old winger, has had the benefit of a short stint with Accrington Stanley and also featured for his parent club in cup competitions, including a memorable FA Cup bow last year where he laid on a goal.

Likewise, midfielder Oksanen, 20, has been farmed out previously, getting a year under his belt at English League One outfit AFC Wimbledon which should stand him in good stead for the rigours of first team exposure at Cappielow.

He is also part of his country's under-21 set-up but was so keen to get on with his loan that he asked to be released from their training camp early to get started, which augurs well.

The youngster clearly has a good attitude and if he has even a modicum of the talent of a Finnish Ton favourite of the past, Janne Lindberg, then that would be a real coup.

It will of course take time for all three to settle, with fellow new recruit Reilly having the important advantage of going course and distance at this level, notching 22 goals in a successful campaign as he helped St Mirren to the title in 2018.

Injuries have blighted the last couple of years for the 28-year-old and he has told the Tele of his determination to get his career back on track at Cappielow, working under the man who was his manager at Queen of the South as a youngster.

He'll add presence, experience and a goal threat at the top of the pitch, with the manager now having options at his disposal and what can often be the magic ingredient in a squad's success - competition for places.

MacPherson did allude to one or two pieces of business 'not going to plan' before the window closed but he has bolstered each area of the pitch and can work with a properly-equipped squad between now and the end of the year.

While they won their Challenge Cup tie against 'Celtic B' last Saturday, the main plus point - aside from moving on from the dreadfully disappointing 3-0 defeat against Partick - was probably the fact that Reilly got almost a full game under his belt and Allan was introduced for a run from the bench.

A much more serious test awaits tomorrow as the Greenock men take on the pre-season title favourites.

They have brought in a whole new team since being relegated from the Premiership and although it will take time for them to gel, the only hiccup they have had so far was the 1-0 defeat at home to Inverness a fortnight ago.

Killie can count on a vastly experienced dressing room as they look to get back to winning ways immediately.

But they may find they are up against opponents who can be a bit more expansive than the last meeting, which could make for an interesting afternoon of football.