By Mark Hendry

SUMMER signing Gary Oliver believes he can deliver the goals needed to push Morton towards the top of the table as the Championship campaign gets going in earnest.

The 21-year-old penned a two-year deal at Cappielow during the close season and has settled quickly at the club, immediately establishing himself as a key figure in the starting line-up.

Oliver has so far been deployed in the role of a supporting attacker, linking up with the midfield and playing just behind Jai Quitongo while the teenager occupies the central striking role.

Oliver has already opened his account for his new side — notching the opener in Ton’s impressive 2-0 win over Kilmarnock — and has since played a key part in Ton’s undefeated start to the season, catching the eye once again during Saturday’s draw with Falkirk.

The former Hearts and Queen of the South man can also operate out wide but believes he is tailor-made for the job being asked of him just now — and confident that he can both create and score goals.

Oliver said: “I can play out wide but I prefer where the gaffer is playing me now.

“I’ve enjoyed playing the number 10 position, and with Jai [Quitongo], and we have linked up well and got some goals between us.

“My target for the season is to play as much as I can and grab as many goals and assists as possible.

Oliver praised the welcome he has received since his move from Palmerston Park and believes the happy atmosphere at the club is a key component in Ton’s strong start to the campaign.

He said: “Since I’ve signed I’ve loved every minute of it.

“The boys have been brilliant and welcoming, while the football side of things has been good too.”

While Oliver is determined to hold onto his place in the starting eleven, he says he was pleased to see the club recently move to strengthen the squad.

He relishes the competition for places brought by the recent arrival of powerful striker Kudus Oyenuga, pictured, who joined last week, and believes it will give the team a whole new dimension to its attacking play.

Oliver told the Tele: “Bringing Kudus in will strengthen attacking options for the team.

“He will bring something different to the table.”

It’s been well documented that in signing for Ton, Oliver linked up with his uncle Jim Duffy.

But the forward says that the pair do not give a second thought to their personal relationship and he simply looks on Duffy first and foremost as a manager who can help him develop as a professional, rather than seeing him as a relative.

He said: “I just treat him like any other manager, and he treats me like any other player.

“I don’t look at him as if he’s my uncle during training or games.

“I actually thought it would be stranger than it is, but it’s really no problem at all.

“It’s good working with him and learning from him every day.”

The Ton new boy believes that he and his team-mates can now capitalise on the promising start they have made to the 2016-17 campaign — and feels they have a squad in place which has the potential to do well between now and next May.

He said: “I want to try and finish as high up in the table as we can and I’m sure we have the players who can do that.”