DOUGIE Imrie insists Morton's rout against Dunfermline was 'imperative' after his side's five-goal demolition lifted them off the bottom of the Championship.

Saturday's victory was Ton's first league win at home since last March and Imrie was delighted to give the Cappielow faithful three points to celebrate.

The Morton manager believes it was crucial his players prevented the Pars extending the gap at the bottom and he says the hammering was crucial to boost their goal difference following last month's 6-1 hammering against Inverness Caley Thistle.

He told the Tele: “I’ve got a lot of respect for John Hughes and Dunfermline Athletic. They were very tough opponents for us, but thankfully we were the ones that got the result that we were looking for.

“It was imperative that we beat Dunfermline for more reasons than one. If we didn’t then the gap between the two sides would’ve grown and, as a result of that, it would’ve made it harder to try and claim that back and make the task look bigger than what it needed to be.

“Every single one of our players was outstanding. It wasn’t only a resounding win, but it also wiped out the goal difference from the last time we played at home against Inverness and it puts us back on an even keel.

“More importantly, though, the three points was the main thing for us and we’ve managed to get that thankfully.

"I'm just delighted for the players, the staff and most importantly the fans because they’ve waited a long time for that home win.

“It’s been tough the last 12 months for them, there were only four home wins here in the whole of 2021 and they were only allowed in for a couple of those.

“It was massive for us to kick off the new year with a victory like that, a home win and to get that monkey off the back as soon as possible.”

Imrie admits that his team talk was simple and effective as he called on his players to match the standards set in their draw against Kilmarnock.

He added: “The message was simple: go and win the game.

“I asked the players to carry on from what they did down at Kilmarnock and replicate it and to be fair to them they’ve gone and smashed it.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a statement victory at all, it’s one game and Dunfermline will no doubt bounce back - but our jobs are to win games of football.

“It was all about our performance, and it’s worked to full effect.”