Players like Rangers loanee Josh McPake took ‘a bit of a pounding’ once again – but it only serves to show the character in David Hopkin’s Morton squad.
The Ton came back from 2-0 down to beat Ayr United 3-2 on Saturday, goals in the final seven minutes from Gary Oliver, Cameron Blues and Lewis Strapp sealing three dramatic points for Hopkin.
Big win for the Ton (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
There were plenty of key performers for Hopkin in this fight, including young Rangers prospect McPake and goalscorer Blues. Now on two wins from three with plenty of young talent shining, Hopkin has hailed Morton’s resilience.
“We were playing against a very good Ayr United team,” said Hopkin. “They’ve took players from Premiership clubs and you can see that.
“The last third we got a bit of a runaround and we went in 1-0 down. I asked for a reaction and I got it. Even when we go 2-0 down I was thinking we could get a chance. We had to be patient.
The Rangers loanee shone. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images for DFB)
“It was three fantastic goals and I’ve got to take my hat off to Gary Oliver for the first goal, composed. Cameron Blues, an unlikely goalscorer, then Lewis Strapp’s came on with a bandage and scored a header.
“The character at this football club is there for all to see. I thought Josh McPake took a bit of a pounding again but he never shirked away from anything. He still wanted the ball.
“I’m delighted as the boys gave me everything.”