Callum Morris is convinced Dunfermline will have the momentum that will make them feared opponents if they can succeed in their late push for a play-off place.
The Pars topped the Championship at the start of the season but have faltered badly in recent times and go into this afternoon’s clash with Morton having to play catch-up.
Allan Johnston’s men are four points adrift of today’s opponents, who are in fourth, but have a game in hand and the confidence of having arrested a run of seven games without a win when they defeated Inverness on Tuesday night.
Morris acknowledges the Fifers still have it all to do if they are to give themselves a shot at promotion come the end of a roller-coaster campaign.
But the East End Park skipper believes they will be dangerous opposition if all goes according to plan in the coming weeks.
He said: “We spoke before Tuesday’s game about what we need to do to make sure we finish the season on a high and hopefully extend it into the play-offs, and that was a big step forward.
“We’ve got nine games to make sure we get into the play-offs and if we do we’ll have done really well to get there and we’ll be on a good run, which is what you want.
“You don’t want to be in there stagnant, with a win here or there and just waiting for them to come around.
“We’re going to have to do everything to get into them, so it will stand us in good stead come the end of the season, hopefully.
“Hopefully off the back of Tuesday we can go into this game with confidence and get the three points, and then look to the next game.
“If we can put a good run together then we can hit those play-offs flying.
“And once you get there it’s completely open again, like another mini-season. If we are on a high going into them then I can’t see any teams wanting to play us.”
Morris started for Dunfermline for the first time in over five weeks in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Inverness.
The 28-year-old lost his place to Jean Yves-M’voto because of suspension but an injury to the Frenchman allowed Morris back in.
The former Dundee United and Aberdeen defender insists he never allowed his frustrations to show as he worked hard on the training ground to regain his place.
He added: “You can lead by example and I would like to think that every day in training I would give as much, if not more, to get back into the team.
“I’ve never been negative, I would always put a positive spin on things. I think I’ve done that behind scenes.
“That’s maybe shown other boys that it’s possible to do that and get back in the team. And if boys have let their heads dip I’ve maybe had a word here and there and told them it’s a long season.”
