MORTON have today signed former Queen of the South forward Gary Oliver on a two-year deal, the Tele can exclusively reveal.

The 20-year-old, who is comfortable on the either flank or through the middle, is the nephew of Ton boss Jim Duffy.

After coming through the youth system at Hearts and making 25 first-team appearances between 2013 and 2015, he was sold to the Palmerston Park side for an undisclosed fee last September.

Oliver went on to make 16 starts and 13 substitute appearances in all competitions for the Doonhamers last term, starting three of the four Championship fixtures against Morton.

The versatile frontman partnered Derek Lyle up top in the 2-2 draw in Dumfries in September and was deployed on the right of a midfield four as Ton won 2-0 at Cappielow in November.

He started on the left in the last league meeting between the sides, a match in which he scored a stunning goal at the Sinclair Street end as Queens fought back to 3-2 from 3-0 down.

Oliver was a real thorn in Ton’s side on that March midweek evening, and Greenock gaffer Duffy expressed his admiration for the youngster’s abilities during a post-match interview with the Tele.

The ex-Tynecastle kid also played against his uncle’s team during a loan stint at Stenhousemuir in 2014-15, starting on the right in a 2-1 win at Ochilview and in the hole in a 3-1 loss at Cappielow.

His initial one-year contract with Queens recently expired, and Duffy moved to snap up the former Scotland Under-19 cap as he rebuilds his squad for next term.