Legend Ritchie a fan of Morton’s total football style
MORTON legend Andy Ritchie has admitted he’s bought into his old team’s total football approach in their bid to have a shot at promotion to the Ladbrokes Premiership.
The Greenock club are the form team of the Championship and have turned their ground into a fortress by staying unbeaten at home since last March.
They are currently third in the second tier and look good odds to book a play-off berth this term – two seasons after manager Jim Duffy guided them out of League One.
Ritchie, who is working as a scout for Scotland, is thrilled his former Celtic team-mate’s side are playing with the kind of attacking verve and swagger that was his own trademark when he graced the blue-andwhite hoops.
“There has been progression down here at Morton. I’ve been suitably impressed by what I’ve seen on the pitch this season,” he said.
“It’s a good team. There’s youth, there’s energy, there’s a willingness to play the game in the proper manner, and that’s all important in the modern-day game.
“There’s some good young players and that’s something I noticed at Hampden against Aberdeen in the Betfred Cup semi-final.
“I was at the St Mirren game [on November 1 at Cappielow] and the 3-1 scoreline flattered St Mirren. I was there with my son and five or six wouldn’t have been a problem.”
Ritchie has been especially impressed that entertaining the fans has become a priority under Duffy.
He told Morton’s official website: “It’s the style and manner that they play the game that I’m impressed with. They are well-organised and strong and capable at the back.
“In the middle of the park they are i ndustrious and creative; they use the ball well and like to pass the ball well. We’re not launching it all over the place. Up front they are bright and lively as well.
“It’s an hour’s drive for me back up the road from Cappielow and all the way back, the conversation with my son has been positive about what we’ve seen. I like entertaining football and good players, but at the same time I understand the responsibilities of everybody in the team.”