‘TON’S RUN COULD SPARK INTEREST IN DOUGIE’*

Ex-Cappielow hero John’s warning after side’s upturn

FORMER Morton hero John McMaster has warned that the team’s transformation could see bigger clubs try to lure manager Dougie Imrie away from Cappielow.

With Ton sitting just three points behind leaders Ayr United in second spot, McMaster, who finished his playing career at Cappielow in 1987-88, has been delighted with the progress made under the former Hamilton Accies man.

In an exclusive interview with the Tele, the Aberdeen legend says that Morton’s change of fortunes won’t go unnoticed and he believes that clubs will be interested in Imrie’s services if their impressive form continues. He said: “It’s great to see Morton turning a corner after the transition they have made over the takeover with Morton Club Together. “At one stage they were really struggling a wee bit. I just feel everyone is getting together now, and it is simply because of the manager. “He has gelled everybody and now they are all happy. “Every time you win, everybody is happy. I think it is looking good, and we should enjoy what we have got at the moment, because I don’t think Dougie will be at Morton long if he continues doing what he is doing. “Someone will come along and just pluck him away.” McMaster, who was assistant manager at Cappielow, was in attendance at Cappielow for Saturday’s 2-1 win over Partick Thistle. The Cup Winners Cup winner has been pleasantly surprised by Morton’s form this season and he believes Imrie’s shrewd recruitment has been key to their rich vein of form. He told the Tele: “I never expected them to be where they are, but the recruitment has been great, simply because of Dougie’s knowledge and the people that he knows, with other teams and the contacts that he has. “Bringing in Efe Ambrose, who has so much experience, has been magnificent. “He has played for Celtic and Hibs and it will help the youngsters and the likes of Lewis Strapp.” McMaster has been impressed with Cameron Blues and he believes he has the potential to play at a higher level if he continues his development under Imrie. The former Aberdeen midfielder said: “I used to see Blues when he played at Falkirk. “I think the manager has actually put an arm around him and said, ‘look you are a player’. “He has just upped his game, he could become a right good player, and I think he could eventually get scouted somewhere else. “He just looks like he is enjoying his football, and if a footballer is enjoying his game it means there is success there. “He was a good youth team player at Falkirk. I used to go and watch them when I was scouting for Swansea City. “He always stuck out but he never really advanced into the first team. “Dougie really must have worked with him because he is getting the rewards now, he is doing his box-to-box stuff, closing down and scoring goals. “Goals are valuable to a team like Morton, you can’t just rely on the one player, everybody has got to chip in.” The Greenock-born 67-year-old has also praised Andy Millen and he believes the strong working relationship between Imrie and his assistant manager has been integral to their performances on the park. McMaster added: “The team is solid, and Andy Millen has got a lot to do with that as well because he was a defender. “The two of them have worked away, and it looks as if it is agreeing with each other. Andy and the rest of the staff are a big part of that.”