MORTON have signed midfielder Ali Crawford on loan from St Johnstone.

Manager Dougie Imrie says he hopes that his former Hamilton team-mate can prove to be the difference as he gears up for the latter rounds of a promotion scrap.

The Ton chief says he is delighted to bring the former Hamilton Accies, Bolton Wanderers and Doncaster midfielder to Cappielow until the end of the season.

The 31 year old goes straight into the squad ahead of today’s Championship clash against Cove Rangers.

Imrie exclusively told the Tele: “I’m delighted to have been able to bring Ali in until the end of the season.

“He’s one that I obviously know well from my time at Hamilton and he’s a very good player.

“He’s had a great career and brings a lot of experience to our side having played over 400 games in his career.

“He’s gone on to do well down south at Bolton Wanderers, Doncaster Rovers and Tramnere before coming back up the road to play with St Johnstone where he’s made an impact when given the opportunity.

“He’s a great threat from set pieces and he’s a very clever player who can run on and hit the box if necessary.

"So he’ll add some more competition to the midfield and give us something that little bit different to what we already have.

“Ali’s game time at St Johnstone had been limited this season so I was keen to ask if we’d be able to work something out and bring him in on loan.

“I thought that it was important for us to add a midfielder to the squad if we could. We’ve seen in the last couple of weeks how a few injuries could really have an effect on the squad and we’ve seen that with the likes of Grant Gillespie and Calvin Miller missing out.

“Thankfully this signing isn’t as a result of Grant’s injury. He went for a scan earlier on in the week and he should be back in training with us after the Cove game if not at the beginning of the week then at the end of the week.

“But I hope that both he and Ali can play a big part for the final 12 games because there’s a lot of football to be played between now and the end of the season.

“I’d like to thank St Johnstone and Callum Davidson for allowing us to get the deal done.”