DARREN Hynes believes extra competition in the Morton backline can spur him onto securing a regular starting place this season.

The full-back made 14 league appearances in the Championship last season, with 11 of those coming from the start.

With Dougie Imrie already bolstering his defence with right-back Carlo Pignatiello along with Jack Baird and Darragh O'Connor, the 23-year-old knows it will be tough to establish himself in the first team.

However, Hynes insists he won't be fazed by the competition for places and it will give him the impetus to grab his chance in the first team.

He told the Tele: "Everybody wants to play, but at the same time if the team is playing well then I can’t complain too much.

"I want to be a part of it this season and play as many games as I can.

"Competition is always healthy and I can’t afford to get complacent. That competition keeps everybody on their toes.

"Everyone will be working hard in training every day and on a Saturday if you get the chance to play you have to be at your best.

"I have worked hard on my time off. I will go back in fit and ready to go, I always do.

"I will work my socks off when we are back in for pre-season and see where it takes me.

"The old cliche is if you get a chance you need to take it."

With Morton back in pre-season training next week, Imrie has time to prepare his side for the start of the Premier Sports Cup which gets underway on July 9.

The standout tie for the Ton is the trip to Easter Road to face Hibs 11 days later and Hynes believes it is a test he and his team-mates have to relish.

He said: "It will be four tough games against four different teams all in different leagues.

"Obviously drawing a Premiership side, you really relish that opportunity to go and play in a stadium like Easter Road.

"You just need to go and look forward to it. We need to prepare the same way we always do and go and enjoy the experience."

The academy graduate believes having the competitive action starting so early on the campaign can only stand Morton in good stead for the start of the league campaign.

Hynes added: "It is good to have that competitive edge early on.

"It is obviously a chance to progress in a cup which also helps us get ready in a competitive environment for the league starting."