MORTON boss Dougie Imrie has bolstered his midfield with the signing of ex-Partick Thistle ace Robbie Crawford.

The 28-year-old, who was released by the Jags in June, arrived at Cappielow yesterday, penning a one-year deal to keep him at Ton until next summer.

The former Ayr United fans' favourite is a welcome addition ahead of today's clash against Dundee.

The 39-year-old admits they are still light in numbers and he says he'll continue to work round the clock to find at least snap up another new recruit as soon as possible.

He told the Tele: "I want to try and build a team of really good players, we need to try and bring in some quality to add to that we have.

"We are thin on numbers. We have also got a few out injured as well, hopefully we will have one or two in over the next week or so.

"We are trying to work on that as best as we can and hopefully there is some more movement in the next few days.

"We are working as hard as ever to try get players in."

Imrie say

admits tomorrow’s clash against Gary Bowyer’s side will a difficult test as he sees them as favourites to return to Scotland’s top flight at the first attempt.

He said: "Every game is a challenge, not just Dundee.

"We don’t want to be disrespectful to any other team in the league, they are all hard games, but Dundee being the team coming down from the Premiership are obviously instant favourites to go back up.

"They are the favourites to win the league on pundits’ decision-making, but for us it is a game that we want to go and enjoy and get the three points.

"It is no different to any other game that we go into, but we have got to give the respect to Gary and his staff and his team.

"He has come in over the summer, and has recruited reasonably well.

"I know most of the players that are there, from either playing against them or knowing them from the past.

"They have a good squad, it will be a good game for us to test ourselves to see where we are at."

The manager has heaped praise on youngster Easdale after his departure this week.

Imrie believes the criticism that the player received during his time at Cappielow was unfair and wished him all the best.

He said: "Alexander made a very brave decision for any young player to terminate his contract.

"I take my hat off to him.

"For the time I have worked with him he has been excellent, never a minute’s hassle. He came in and worked away, he played some games at the start of the season and he made a decision to go and take up a position in his family business.

"He took a lot of stick which was unnecessary for such a young player.

"He came with the task to try play a man’s game at such a young age, and I thought he handled that really well.

"It is difficult to put into words, but I am sure he’ll be hurting, but I have to thank him for his time here and everything that he gave for the team and the club, because I know he was a fan of Morton as well.

"He is a local boy and he has done himself and his family proud, and I can only wish him all the best for whatever he chooses to do going forward."