ROSS FORBES believes Morton are strong enough to hold their own in the Championship next season.

The 26-year-old was thrilled as the Greenock club clinched promotion with a 3-1 win over 10-man Peterhead at Cappielow.

Jim Duffy's side got an early shock when Gary McDonald put the visitors ahead, but after Scott Ross was red-carded for hauling back Declan McManus, there was only going to be one winner, with Michael Miller, Mark Russell and McManus on target.

Forbes said: "We have a great squad here, but even more than that, we know how to play for one another. We have played some good football this season and I think we are worthy of going up.

"I don't think we will be out of place in the Championship. Obviously, there are some good teams there, and it'll be interesting to see how the play-offs pan out and who is still in the league.

"But I have played in the First Division before and I think this team is definitely strong enough to play in that environment.

"We have been in a really tough league and the Championship will be difficult because there could be teams in there with some really strong resources. It will be interesting, but we'll be up for the challenge, that's for sure."

In a season that has been full of twists and turns, it was only last week when Morton went to Stranraer and came away with a 2-0 win that Forbes believed automatic promotion was on the cards.

There has been so little between the Greenock side, Forfar and Stranraer, that few would have been able to call the final outcome given how often positions at the top have shifted.

"Last weekend when we beat Stranraer I did think that we could do it, but that was probably the first time I felt really sure," said Forbes. "We didn't come away from that shouting off our mouths or anything.

"But there was a sense of quiet confidence within the dressing room. There was a feeling that we were good enough to do it and I am delighted we proved that.

And Forbes has also thanked manager Jim Duffy for the part he has played in getting his career back on track.

It was a call from Duffy that brought Forbes to Greenock and he believes the Ton gaffer has been quietly impressive throughout the campaign.

Duffy himself was somewhat low-key in the aftermath of the promotion party, and Forbes has revealed it is Duffy's calm composure that got Morton over the finish line.

"We all knew how big a match it was on Saturday, but the manager was really calm all week and he was really calm in the dressing room just before we went out," he said.

"He told it was a game of football, that's it. He said to us it wasn't life or death, it was football, it was pleasure and to go out and do what we could do.

"He took a lot of pressure off us and gave us the confidence to go out and play. We didn't feel nervous. There was obviously a point when we were trailing 1-0, but as soon as we got that equaliser, I knew we would go on and win it.

"I'm delighted for everyone and delighted for the gaffer. He showed a lot of faith in me. He phoned me last summer and told me he knew what I could do, that I could do well at Morton.

"I've had a great season and the club have already told me that they want to activate a clause in my contract that would give me another year here. There is a lot to look forward to and I can't wait to get a break and get going again next season."