WEBSTER HAILS IMPACT OF MONTROSE BOSS
MONTROSE midfielder Graham Webster is surprised manager Stewart Petrie’s incredible transformation of the Gable Endies has not prompted bigger clubs to make a move for him. Ex-Dunfermline player Petrie took the helm in 2016 when the team sat bottom of League Two, a year and a half after requiring a play-off victory over Brora Rangers to preserve their SPFL status. He lifted Montrose into the promotion play-offs at the end of his first season and has since overseen a League Two title win in 2018 and three consecutive fourthplaced finishes in League One. Now they’re in the driving seat against Morton after Saturday’s victory in the Championship play-off semi-final first leg, and Webster admits the club are fortunate Petrie hasn’t attracted attention from elsewhere. ‘The manager’s been incredible,’ he said. ‘He’s turned everything around. I’m surprised he’s not been linked with a Championship or even a Premiership team. Obviously the longer we hold on to him the better. He’s got a bit of everything. He can motivate players, he knows his stuff and he’s got experience of playing at this level. He’s also a great guy away from the football.’ Superb second-half strikes from Russell McLean and Webster provided a vital lead to take to Greenock after Gary Oliver netted an early opener for Morton. Oliver admits the prospect of relegation is unthinkable. ‘I’ve been here four seasons now and it’s a good club,’ he said. ‘I’ve loved every minute, apart from this last part of the season obviously, so it’d be the worst day of my career if we got relegated. I’m not thinking that way just yet, though. ‘We’ve got a massive game at Cappielow and all the boys need to keep their heads up and hopefully find a way to keep us in this league.’ Morton have won only two league games in 2021. Oliver was disappointed his goal wasn’t the catalyst for a rare win but is still confident his side can turn it around. He said: ‘I thought we were on the front foot after we scored but when we came out in the second half it felt a bit flat. Mistakes have been killing us all season. It’s not done yet but we need to pick ourselves up.’