Morton boss Murray issues Estrella investment update ahead of Stenhousemuir

MORTON boss Ian Murray admits he will have to play the waiting game as the club continue to finalise investment from the Estrella Football Group.

Financial uncertainty has restricted Murray's ability to strengthen his squad ahead of the Championship campaign, leaving him reliant on a number of teenage players during the Premier Sports Cup.

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Among them was youngest appearance holder Calan Burgess, who made his senior debut at just 15 years and 50 days old, while several other academy players have been handed opportunities due to the lack of available options.

A second vote of Morton Club Together members is expected to determine whether the proposed £750,000 investment goes ahead.

Although the majority of the funding will be used to improve infrastructure at Cappielow, it is understood some money will be made available to support Murray's playing squad.

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"We're all waiting on this vote, which is still a couple of weeks away," Murray said, speaking exclusively to the Tele.

"The timing of it for the football department is very, very difficult.

"But you have to make sure when you're doing deals like this, the powers that be do their due diligence on both sides.

"These things do drag on and do take a bit of time. We would have loved it to have been three, four, five weeks earlier, but it wasn't to be, so we just have to wait and see what happens with the vote.

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"Hopefully, if the vote goes through, we get some positive news."

The transfer market has proven challenging for clubs across Scotland, and Murray admits Morton are facing the same difficulties.

Loan deals have become increasingly complicated, with Premiership clubs still needing to manage their squads due to European commitments.

He said: "It's difficult, the transfer market is not straightforward.

"Hearts, Hibs, Motherwell, Rangers and Celtic are still playing those European games, so you need to keep your homegrown players.

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"If you're looking at a loan down south, the same applies - they have to fill their European slots up with some homegrown players.

"All these things change the dynamics, and then you add in the players you're looking at. You'd be extremely naïve to think you're the only team looking at them, so you're in competition.

"It just takes a bit longer. It's a completely different window from the winter one, but it's still just as difficult."

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Despite the challenges, Murray has been encouraged by the contribution of Morton's young players, with 16-year-old Dean Black earning particular praise after an impressive display against Partick Thistle.

The Ton boss believes those opportunities can disappear quickly and has urged the youngsters to make the most of every chance they receive.

"Football moves so quickly, I remember being that young player and suddenly, before you know it, you're not that young guy coming through anymore," he recalled.

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"Everybody that has been through it says that, but it's so true. It will be over before you know it.

"They have to enjoy it. They have to try and do as much as they possibly can to make sure they stay in professional football for as long as they can.

"It's a cruel game. It can be taken away from you in an instant, so treat every game as if it's your last."

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