TIMELY REMINDER
Ross faces a tricky task to find the right replacement for Morgan
LEWIS MORGAN sizzled in the sunshine as St Mirren were presented with the silverware to officially commemorate their magnificent promotion to the Premiership.
And it only hammered home to manager Jack Ross how difficult it is going to be to find a replacement for their return to the top flight.
Morgan, who will return to parent club Celtic in the summer, set up the first and scored the winner on his final home appearance and received a standing ovation when he came off near the end.
Ross said: ‘I always wanted to allow Lewis to come off near the end to get the adulation of the crowd.
‘And his personal contribution made it even more appropriate and reminded me how difficult it’s going to be to replace him.
‘That ovation he received was well deserved for what he has done for the club in my time.
‘It was a different feeling last week because it was an outburst of emotion but this was great because there had been a big build-up and a lot going on.
‘The fans followed us through the town, so there are many memories that will live long.
‘Morton were the only team we hadn’t beaten in the Championship this season. As champions, we wanted to have a record that ensures that we had recorded a victory against each team. So that was motivation for us.
‘I felt we played well considering the occasion and considering the players have achieved what we set out to achieve. Their attitude towards the game and their performance level was excellent.
‘I enjoyed it. It’s been a busy week but that’s part and parcel of what we have achieved.
‘I was determined to make sure that all the players and staff soaked it all up and I think they did that. They took it all in.
‘They deserve it because of the work they have put in.’
Morgan set up Danny Mullen after ten minutes with a pinpoint pass but Morton full-back Michael Doyle equalised when he headed home Frank Ross’s cross in 30 minutes.
Saints won it in 72 minutes when Morton lost the ball in midfield. Substitute Gavin Reilly fed Cammy Smith, who set up Morgan and he finished in style.
Impudently, he ran behind the goal to celebrate in front of the Morton fans and that earned him a booking.
But it was not important, as only 20 minutes later he was dancing around the pitch as the pyrotechnics went off and the trophy presentation party was well underway.
Morton boss Jim Duffy was quick to congratulate the Buddies. He said: ‘They have been outstandingly consistent and that is the big difference.
‘Other teams have good players but to be as consistent as they have been takes a lot of doing.
‘I was bitterly disappointed to lose. St Mirren played well in the first 15 minutes and scored and we looked caught up in the game.
‘We settled down and scored a terrific goal — and might have scored a few more as we dominated at that point.
‘But then we made a horrendous mistake for the second goal and after that you’re chasing the game. I don’t think we deserved to lose.
‘We have made too many basic errors in games this season and there was another one in this game.
‘We’ve had injuries to key players this season but I still felt we had good enough players to do a bit better.
‘I’m not saying we should have won the league but we should have been more consistent.
‘We’ll gather our thoughts after our last game next week and have a rethink in the summer.’