RENFREWSHIRE DERBY
MORTON derby hero Michael Tidser delivered the perfect birthday present to his son by scoring twice in the 4-1 win over St Mirren on Saturday.
The midfielder rolled in a penalty in either half as Jim Duffy’s men extended their unbeaten start to the Championship season with a convincing victory over their local rivals.
Further goals from Bob McHugh and Andy Murdoch made it a day to remember for Morton at Cappielow and one to forget for St Mirren who scored what proved to be a consolation through Cammy Smith and had defender Jack Baird sent off early in the second half.
Tidser ran to the touchline after netting his first spot kick before pointing to the main stand and making a glasses gesture with his hands over his face. He later revealed that was a special tribute to his spectacle-wearing son.
He said: “My son Aaron was the mascot and it was his third birthday too so it was the perfect day for me. He’s delighted and I dedicated both goals to him.
“He hasn’t been to too many games so it was great. We had a birthday party for him on Sunday and it was a great celebration.
“The gaffer put me on penalties at the tail end of last season so I’m delighted to have scored two.
“It’s news to me that he’s not keen on the same player taking a second penalty. When you score the first one you’re always confident. I went different sides.
“Big Craig Samson in the St Mirren goal was trying to double bluff me and they were two pressure penalties so I’m delighted.
“I wasn’t really thinking about a hat-trick – two goals was great and the main thing was winning the game.”
St Mirren had won 4-1 on their previous visit to Cappielow and Tidser admitted that was in his mind the longer the game went on.
He added: “When we went 4-1 up I kept thinking about last season when we lost by the same score. Quite a few of the boys that played in that game lastl t season are stilltill h here so it was good for them. It’s a derby game so to send the fans home happy is great for us.”
Tidser’s two goals earned him the man of the match award but he was grateful for the contribution of Jai Quitongo who was a threat in attack all game.
“It was the striker who won his side’s first penalty and also had a hand in Morton’s second and d thirdhi d goalsl as well.ll
Having missed the second half of last season with a serious knee injury, Tidser was delighted to have Quitongo back in action.
HE ADDED: “I’m really delighted for Jai and if he keeps playing like that I’ll get 10 penalties this season. “We travel in to training and games together and I know how h hardd it was whenh h he was i injured so I’s great to see him doing so well.
“It was a bad injury but he’s that kind of boy to come back from it – he’s mentally strong.”
Morton surprised many by reaching the play-offs last season and this kind of win over a St Mirren side that had been tipped for the title suggests they could have another strong sea- son. But Tidser wasn’t getting carriedid away.
He added: “I’m not going to say we’ll win the league. Some of their camp have been saying that and that’s fine. We will always make it hard for teams at Cappielow.
“It’s a bit of a fortress. And our manager has bags of experience so we will simply take each game as it comes and do our best.” DUMBARTON boss Steve Aitken praised his players for digging in to earn a vital point away to Championship contenders Falkirk.
Loan signing Ali Roy gave the Sons a dream start with his first goal for the club before Miles Hippolyte equalised midway through the first half.
Aitken was thrilled with his part-timers for matching Peter Houston’s promotion hopefuls on their own patch.
He said: “Their work-rate, attitude and endeavour were outstanding.
“We knew from our experience of coming here last year that this is a top side you’re playing a against.
“And top sides have a l lot of the ball so you have to do the ugly side of the game right.
“A lot of people don’t l like doing that but the players bought into it and worked their socks o off for each other.
“I thought we created some good chances on the break and scored a terrific goal.
“Overall, I’m d delighted with the point. Towards the end of the game the players were throwing themselves in front of everything, and t that’s great to see.
“That’s basically a whole new team out there. We lost that many in the summer.
“I think maybe Christian Nade is the only one who played for us last season so to put them together in such a short period of time and with only two nights’ training a week is terrific.
They defended brilliantly and we’re going to need that for the rest of the season.”
Roy has recently arrived on loan from Hearts and Aitken praised the 20-year-old’s contribution.
He added: “Ali has been a real threat since he came in.
“He’s a young kid learning the game and it’s good that Hearts have put him out, and the same with Sam Wardrop from Celtic.
“Ali was a thorn in Falkirk’s side and scored a terrific goal.”