Time’s right for me to go but I can’t believe Ton have let the best gaffer in the league leave too
Fan hero O’Ware ready for exit but skipper is shocked Duffy is already out door
DEPARTING Morton captain Thomas O’Ware has set his sights on a new challenge – and says he owes everything to axed gaffer Jim Duffy.
The 25-year-old has chosen not to renew his contract at Cappielow, meaning his spell as the club’s longest-serving player has drawn to a close.
O’Ware, who was named in his second consecutive PFA Championship Team of the Year on Sunday night, missed out on the chance to sign off with a home appearance in the 3-0 defeat to Inverness on Saturday due to a calf injury.
Now preparing to be the new boy in an unknown dressing room for the first time since he was 18, the centre-back says he leaves the club with no regrets and thanked Duffy for teaching him “everything I know”.
O’Ware said: “I’ve loved every minute of being at Morton but the time is right to move on. When I arrived at the club I didn’t know anything about the place or the league.
“But I’ve progressed under the gaffer and not signing a new deal is a risk worth taking.
“I wish I could stay at Morton my full career but I need to use my head over my heart with this and try something new.
“Any interest will flatter me but I believe in myself and if an opportunity comes along I’ll grab it with both hands.
“The fact I believe in myself is down to the gaffer. I owe him everything and I’ve got so much respect for him.
“Alan Moore gave me the chance to play, I’ll always be grateful for that. Jim improved every aspect of my game.
“I’ve not got a bad word to say about him and I’m shocked Morton decided he’s not the man they need for next season.
“It’s a huge mistake on the club’s part to let him go and I can’t get my head around it.
“Why they’ve let a man of his calibre and experience go is beyond me because he’s one of the best managers in the league if not the country.”
O’Ware finished last season as the top scoring centre-back in Europe, edging out Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos by one goal thanks to his impressive tally of 11.
His knack of finding the net helped endear himself to the Ton faithful, who O’Ware says deserve success.
He said: “I hope the fans remember me as someone who gave their all for the team.
“They’ve backed me and took a liking to me so I want to thank them all for their support. They have been brilliant and deserve to enjoy every success.
“I’ll always look out for their results now and share that joy with them.”
Alongside his goals and workrate O’Ware’s feisty relationship with the support of Renfrewshire rivals St Mirren also saw his popularity soar among Ton fans.
But he admitted that wouldn’t stop him considering a move to the Premiership new boys if rumours that Jack Ross is interested in signing him prove true.
He said: “There’s a big rivalry between Morton and St Mirren and I’ve scored three times against them. The relationship between their fans and me is part of football and I expect that as a Morton player.
“But there’s no need to burn bridges with people in football as you never know when you might want to or have to work with them.
“Jack has done a great job there and I wouldn’t rule out anything. Any offer that comes my way I’ll consider.”
But with no offers on the table at the moment O’Ware will focus on treasuring the highlights.
He said: “We’ve let ourselves down towards the end of this season but I’ve got so many good memories here. I’ve led the team out at Hampden, played against Celtic who I grew up supporting, and drawn at Ibrox.
“The noise towards the end of that game is one of my best memories.
“Reaching the play-offs was another highlight but it’s a shame we couldn’t go one step further.
“I hope Morton fans remember me as fondly as I’ll remember them.”
I hope the fans remember me as someone who gave their all for the team
THOMAS O’WARE