Jai vows to reward Jim for his faith
72 Sunday Mail
Jai Quitongo has always had the abi l ity. Now, thanks to Morton gaffer Jim Duffy, he’s got the attitude to go with it.
At 18, the striker is threatening to become one of Scottish football ’s most prodigious talents.
The son of mercurial winger Jose, Quitongo Jnr has lit up the Betfred Cup in the early part of the season.
So far, the teenager has terrorised Premiership defences by scoring key goals against Ki lmarnock and Hamilton, which secured Duffy’s men a place in the last eight.
After spells in Accies’ and Aberdeen’s youth ranks, he’s making a name for himself at Cappielow and he believes he’s in the best place, physically and mentally, to develop as a player.
Quitongo said: “When I didn’t have a club, people probably thought if I was such a good player, why was no-one taking me.
“But sometimes you just need someone to believe in you, to have faith.
“The manager at Morton has drummed a few things into me. He told me when I signed that he thought I was a brilliant player.
“But it was the other side of the game I had to learn. Before, I had been a bit lazy. But I told him I’d work for him. At Aberdeen, I was only just turning 17. I was away from home and – I know it’s stupid – but I needed my mum, Sharon. She gets me organised.
“I wasn’t eating or sleeping right and felt homesick all the time. I missed my mum and wee brother Rico.
“At Morton, everyone is on top of me, making sure I do the right things.
“I’m working hard and eating right. Before, I was eating McDonald’s.
“My dad is also good on the nutrition side of things. I know I need to eat pasta – and foods I don’t even like!
“I feel all of that has hit home now. I’ve always been the same player.
“It was just the other side I had to get right.
“I know I can’t get distracted now, I need to concentrate on football.
“I have to make sacrifices. Duffy is the right man at the right time for me.