MORTON defender Lewis Strapp believes building a winning mentality has been Dougie Imrie's biggest impact since his arrival at Cappielow a year ago.

The Greenock men were languishing at the bottom of the Championship when Imrie took charge in December 2021.

Twelve months on they are sitting in fourth spot just three points off leaders Ayr United.

Speaking to the SPFL Trust Football Powered podcast, Strapp has praised the galvanising effect the 39-year-old's appointment has had on the Ton squad and the left-back says there are great things happening on and off the park at Cappielow.

He said: "Since the gaffer has come in, he has been brilliant with us.

"The first week that he came in I just remember that he said to me when we were walking out on the training pitch 'we are going to win on Saturday'.

"The confidence he's brought coming in and saying that we are going to go and beat teams has been crucial, and he just knows how to get us going.

"It has been brilliant since he has been in. At the club in general, we have got fans taking over, we have got Dalrada Technology involved now.

"Everything is looking up, so it is a positive place at the moment.

"We are in a good place."

The Ton youth academy graduate has reflected on the changes at the club over in recent months and he is honoured to represent the team he supported growing up.

Strapp said: "It is a fan-owned club now, so one of the biggest things for us is the fans.

"A lot of my friends and family are fans, and I know a lot of the supporters because I have been there that long.

"It's nice to have gone to the games as a kid, and obviously now being able to pull on the shirt and go out there and play for them is great.

"Their donations obviously help us going forward, but we now have got sponsorship as well, so things are looking up.

"I have seen in my time, this year and last in particular, and it has been positive."

Strapp believes the bond between the players and supporters is stronger than ever and he delighted to see more supporters coming through the gates on matchdays.

He said: "The last home game in the league against Partick Thistle I looked at the Cowshed and thought 'I haven’t really seen it like this'.

"There were over 2,000 home fans, usually we will have 1,500 and that is including the away fans.

"It's different to years gone by or just a year ago, so it is nice to have that connection with them.

"At the moment if we are playing well they are coming through the gate and that is all we can ask."