Greenock Morton manager Jim Duffy has praised the Barrfields 3G pitch, and said it will be beneficial for Largs and the community in future.

Speaking before last Thursday's match against Thistle, Jim said: "Junior teams are good football sides. The stereotypical image of junior football is long gone and so it should be.

There are some good teams and talented players, and Largs are one of those teams - they are a progressive team, and the new 3G pitch helps as it encourages you to get the ball down and get football, and we are expecting a tough test for our players."

Speaking about his hopes and aspirations for Morton, Jim said: "You are always wanting to progress as a football club, and at the moment the players are working hard. It is a new campaign and we are bedding in new players, but it is also about winning games, and thankfully we have managed to do that in the opening league cup campaign.

"Last year it was extremely tough with Rangers, Falkirk and Hibs, who were extremely consistent, and obviously St Mirren have strengthened quite significantly as have a number of teams, and we just have to do as well as we can, and we will compete, and hopefully we get some breaks along the way."

And Morton kick off their league campaign away at Renfrewshire rivals St Mirren this Saturday. Jim commented: "Every match is a key match - derbies have a lot of extra significance, but it is still the same points. You look at the big leagues and competitions, you don't take anything for granted, after Leicester won the Premiership and Portugal won the Euro Championships, to show you can't bank on anything. Work hard, and give everything you have got, and hopefully that is good enough to achieve some form of success."

Speaking about his recollections of Largs, Jim said: "I did all my coaching badges at Inverclyde Sports Centre in Largs and was down umpteen times, and have been at some games at the old Barrfields pitch as well, and it is always nice to be here."