MORTON youngster Michael Garrity believes he has what it takes to make the step-up to Championship football and break into Dougie Imrie's first team following his loan spell at Annan.

The 19-year-old has helped the League Two side progress through to the play-offs and he's aiming to pull off another heroic display to turn around the 2-0 deficit against Edinburgh City in the final second leg tonight.

The academy colt was sent back by Morton to complete the season at the Galabankies having only agreed his initial loan deal until January - and he believes the move has paid off.

The midfielder has gained valuable competitive experience for Peter Murphy’s side, featuring on 26 occasions in the league and registering two goals and five assists.

Garrity also came up with the winning goal in the play-off semi-final first leg victory over Forfar and he hopes his displays have caught the eye of Imrie as he looks to make the breakthrough at Cappielow next term.

He told the Tele: "I am grateful to Annan for the opportunity this year but I feel I’m ready to step up to the Championship next season and will be working hard to fight for my place in the team.

"I knew how important it was at my age to be playing every week and the fact we were going to the play-offs made me want to go back and experience that especially.

"I’ve been training sometimes twice a day with both teams, so I'm feeling the fitness benefits and playing every week in a competitive league where there's so much at stake with promotion has benefited me a lot.

"I see and talk to the manager every day. I know I need to keep working hard and the opportunity should come."

The midfielder says scoring the winner in the play-off semi-final first leg against Forfar was a proud moment before he won the late penalty in the return at Station Park to book their place in the final.

Garrity and his Annan team-mates now find themselves two goals behind going into the second leg against Edinburgh City.

But he insists they have the belief in the camp to make home advantage count and turn the tie on its head against the Ainslie Park outfit.

He added: "I knew I had to try and step up in the big games and I managed to do that against Forfar.

"I then won the penalty at the end of the second leg too, so it’s been brilliant.

"I just think Edinburgh City were more clinical on Monday night, but we are strong at home back in Annan and I definitely think we can turn it around and win the tie which would be amazing for the club.

"We will have to be at our very best but it’s only half-time and we know we have goals in our team.

"With the home fans backing us and knowing how much it means to everyone at the club we definitely believe we can do it."