MORTON assistant Martin Clark today revealed how boss Jim McInally steered the Cappielow club to an elusive Second Division title ...

By NOT allowing himself to become like legendary former gaffers Brian Clough and Jim McLean.

McInally was hailed as a hero by more than 3000 jubilant Ton fans at Stark's Park as they finally enjoyed their moment of glory.

A 2-0 defeat by Raith Rovers proved irrelevant as nearest rivals Stirling Albion crashed to a 3-2 defeat against Ayr United at Somerset Park.

It was a memorable day, too, for Clark and McInally, who had seen their team agonisingly pipped to promotion in the last two seasons.

And Clark, son of Lisbon Lion and Celtic kit man John, reckons McInally deserves all the plaudits for his shrewd stewardship of the Greenock club.

He said: "I played for over 10 different clubs in my own career and worked under a lot of different managers in that time.

"But I've never worked with anybody who was as honest with his players as Jim is with his. His man-management is just different class.

"He is always calm and collected. He is not the type of manager to shout and scream at his players when things aren't going the team's way.

"Jim worked under Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest and Jim McLean at Dundee United, but he very much has his own manner and his own style.

"He has come in for a lot of criticism in his time at Morton, most of it unfair, but he's taken it all in his stride and deserves this success."

Clark added: "He was a clever player himself and is tactically astute as a manager. On top of that, he has a fantastic work ethic as well.

"I first started working with Jim as his assistant at Celtic when Martin O'Neill threw us together in the youth set-up. We have built up a friendship from there.

"We have a fantastic working relationship at Morton. We know we can turn our backs on each other. We're looking forward to the First Division."

Indeed, the Morton management team's preparations for next season got under way today as they returned to training at their base in Quarrier's Village.

Clark and McInally, whose team will receive the trophy at home to Stranraer this weekend, have already identified the players they need to strengthen their squad.

Top of their list of priorities is securing Paul McGowan, who is set to return to Parkhead after his loan deal expires in the summer.

Clark said: "Paul has signed a new contract with Celtic, but I'm not sure he'll be happy going back there and playing reserve team football.

"I have been through that before myself as a player with Nottingham Forest. It is frustrating after you have tasted regular first-team football.

"Paul's been excellent for us all season and I know he has enjoyed being here. We will be speaking to Celtic about his situation soon."

Meanwhile, John McGlynn's Raith, who clinched their play-off place thanks to goals from Todd Lumsden and Denis McLaughlin, must be strong favourites to join Morton in the First Division.