Morton to lose 3 key stars despite offering bumper new deals to warn off transfer suitors

Morton have lost three of their top players to Championship rivals despite offering improved terms.

Soon-to-be relegated Livingston have already announced the signing of Robbie Muirhead, while Robbie Crawford will return to Partick Thistle and George Oakley has agreed terms with Ayr United. The trio were some of Dougie Imrie’s key players last season. Record Sport understands the Cappielow side offered all three deals on more than their last Morton contracts but it was still well short of what was on offer elsewhere.

Striker Oakley has been offered more than 50 per cent more at Ayr United. Morton had one of the lowest wage budgets in the Championship last season and several clubs were spending more than double on players. Boss Dougie Imrie had his team punching above their weight last season in both the Scottish Cup and for long spells he had his team in the play-off fight.

The Morton board has now sunk a considerable six figure sum into the wage budget but it is still dwarfed by the majority of teams at the same level. Imrie will need to work more miracles on a shoestring next season in the fight to keep Morton competitive. His biggest challenge will be finding replacements for Muirhead and Oakley who netted 30 goals between them last season.