DAVID HOPKIN is banking on Garry O'Connor to breathe fresh life into Morton's goal-shy attack.

The former Hibs and Scotland star has been snapped up by new Greenock gaffer Kenny Shiels as he looks to save the Ton from relegation.

A lack of cutting edge has cost the Cappielow club dear this term, but assistant boss Hopkin is confident O'Connor can be a positive influence on the squad as they gear up for tomorrow's clash with Raith Rovers.

He said: "Garry's experience has to help, so hopefully that can rub off on the young players."

Meanwhile, Shiels has explained the reasons behind his self-imposed ban on speaking to the media after games.

Shiels was sacked by Kilmarnock last June days after he was given a four-match ban for questioning the impartiality of an SFA judicial panel and the integrity of Celtic.

But now he says his doctor has told him to stop giving interviews after games for the good of his health.

The 57-year-old told BBC Radio Scotland. "It's important I don't compromise my position as manager of Morton.

"There's a name for it -you can't help it.

"If someone asks you a question, you're emotionally imbalanced at that time and you feel an urge to tell the truth.

"And, if you feel hard done by, you want to tell the truth about something that happened in the game and you become a victim of that."

Shiels has handed over post-match media duties to Hopkins.