JAI IS FOR JOY
Morton’s Jai Quitongo produced a somersault his dad Jose would have been proud of. And after mesmerising Kilmarnock’s defence, he had the travelling fans jumping for joy at Rugby Park. The 18- year- old striker capped his first start for the club with his first senior goal and a man-of-the-match display in the Betfred Cup. Killie couldn’t handle him and, after Gary Oliver had given the visitors a lead, Quitongo sealed the win with a terrific solo strike. Afterwards, he was ecstatic to get off the mark and win a bet with team-mate Tam O’Ware. And Quiton go reckons his goal celebration is better than anything his old man could produce.
Jose was a Scot t ish football maverick and his boy looks like a star in the making.
Jai said: “I have dreamt of the fans signing my name since I was a kid so it was great. And it was extra special because I had a bet with Tam. He said I wouldn’t score all season. Now he has to take me to any restaurant I want.
“I’d planned that celebration – I have done it since I was a wee boy.
“My dad used to do the cartwheels as well but I think my celebration was better.
“He’s been a huge influence on me, as has my mum Sharon.
“He couldn’t make it to the game but thankfully my mum was here to see me score.”
Morton were impressive and thoroughly deserved their three Group H points.
Killie, after making 11 signings in the summer, looked like a team who didn’t know each other. Duffy’s men were organised, well drilled – and a threat on the break through Oliver and Quitongo.
The latter gave them all sorts of problems from the off with his movement, pace, strength and trickery. He had a hand in Oliver’s opener before the former Hearts striker produced a terrific turn on the edge of the box and finish that beat Jamie MacDonald to go in off the post.
Kil lie were awful with several new players failing to shine on their home debuts.
Aside from a Kris Boyd effort that went over the bar and aJoshM ag ennis free-kick, they didn’t threaten their Championship opponents.
Instead, Morton might have won by more. Quitongo tormented on-loan Jonathan Burn for the second goal, out-muscling the centre-half before racing clear.
And when faced wi th MacDonald, he steered the ball home before his front- f lip celebration.
Late on, he gave the same treatment to Josh Webb – but this time MacDonald denied him before the Killie keeper had to keep out Oliver’s follow-up.
A delighted Morton gaffer Duffy said: “I’m thrilled with that result. We were organised and scored two great goals. We did really well.”
Killie Boss Lee Clark said: “We lost two cheap goals, really poor. I’m not asking my defenders to be heroic, just to do the basics.”