Loan bhoy is the hero

Jim Duffy was delighted with Aiden Nesbitt after Morton’s 2-0 Scottish Cup win over Falkirk at Cappielow.

The teenager is used to playing on the wing but excelled through the middle as Duffy’s side went down to the bare bones to see off their Championship rivals.

Nesbitt moved to Cappielow at the start of the season and helped the Greenock side into the semi-final of the Betfred Cup.

With Morton looking good for a play-off spot the loan move seems to be exactly the type of move that Nesbitt needed to progress his career.

Jamie Lindsay opened the scoring for Morton but after the match it was the stand-in strikers that Jim Duffy highlighted for praise.

“I thought Aiden and Gary (Oliver) were outstanding,” the Morton boss told The Sun. “They gave the Falkirk rearguard real problems with their movement.

“They’re not natural strikers but they were instrumental in the way we played. It was a tough match – as we knew it would be – but I thought we deserved the victory.

“We played some terrific football at times in a very competitive match against a side who are notoriously difficult to break down.

“Two goals and a clean sheet gets us into the next round but you would take any kid of result just as long as you get through.

“I’m thrilled for the players who have worked hard over the past few months and they can look forward to the draw now.”

Loan bhoy Paul McMullan was one of Dunfermline’s scorers in the 3-2 win away at Alloa but there was no joy for Kristoffer Ajer with Kilmarnock losing 1-0 at home to Hamilton Accies.

The biggest score of the day was at Tynecastle where Hibs beat Bonnyrigg Rose 8-1 with former Celt James Keatings scoring twice.

In England Eoghan O’Connell continued his impressive start to life at Walsall with the opening goal in their 3-1 home win over Bristol Rovers.