Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Morton marks signing with clinching goal
ALBION ROVERS ................................... 2
ELGIN CITY .............................................. 0
Albion Rovers boss Brian Reid hailed ‘new boy’ jordan Morton after he bagged a stunning goal on his full debut for the club in their weekend win over Elgin City.
Midfielder Morton has been with Cliftonhill club since pre-season, but budget constraints meant Rovers were unable to offer him a contract until last week, following the recent departures of ex-hearts star Ryan Stevenson and defender Jamie Mckernon.
Morton had appeared on the bench for Reid’s side twice this season as a trialist and made a late cameo in last month’s 3-0 defeat to Kelty.
However, he has finally put pen to paper on a deal until the end of the season and rewarded Rovers with the clinching goal after 80 minutes in the win over City, just five minutes after Callum Wilson had opened the scoring
Morton unleashed a stunning strike into the top corner from the edge of the box and Reid said: “he’s got that in his locker, has Jordan.
“He’s got a wand of a left foot, he’s very technically gifted and he’s a good lad as well.
“Jordan came into the squad in pre-season trying to prove his fitness and worked hard. He’s hardly missed a session and he was one of the players I’d like to have given a deal to earlier in the season, but money was tight.
“He’s got himself up to speed now and with the likes of Ryan Stevenson and Jamie Mckernon leaving, it freed up some money for us to give him a contract until the end of the season.
“It’s worked out well for us because he’s come on and scored a great goal.
“He’s been good about the place as well and he’ll bring a good bit of experience. We’ve got a young squad, but he’s 29 and his experience will certainly help us.”
The victory provided a much-needed boost for Rovers after a run of five straight defeats in all competitions.
It moves Rovers up one spot to eighth in League Two and Reid added:“it was an important game.
“It’s still early in the season, but after losing our last few games we needed to get back to winning ways.
”I’m pleased we did that. We were very depleted in terms of numbers.
“We had six players sitting in the stand injured, which makes it difficult because we have a very small squad. So credit to the players who came in and stood up to the test.
“On another day we probably would have won by more because we created a lot of chances.
“We defended resolutely and we are really pleased with that because Elgin are a decent team who were in the play-offs last season. It was a good day at the office from everyone.”