WASPS forward Michael Duffy says the players are desperate to break their home duck against Morton in the league this weekend to repay the fans for their unflinching support this season.

The young Celtic star, who has just extended his stay in Clackmannanshire until the end of the season, is convinced a more positive approach can reap rewards for them as they begin to adapt to life under new gaffer Jack Ross.

Alloa have carried some horrible luck in the SPFL Championship at times this season, but the talented Northern Irishman is convinced they can still turn their fortunes around.

Duffy told Advertiser sport: “The Morton game is a massive one for us. Not just for the players, but for the fans as well. They have been brilliant backing us this season despite everything and so to get that first home win of the season in such a vital game would be our way of paying them back. I think we owe them a performance to be honest and hopefully we can get them the win on Saturday. I think with where we are at in the league, we need to start taking more chances in the final third and to be more positive in games. The manager has definitely addressed that since he has come in and hopefully now with a decent run of games we can start to put that right.

“As a team we have carried some horrible luck this season. There are so many games where we played well and could've got something from the game, but end up losing so now we have to start turning those types of performances into positive results. If we do that then there is no reason why we can't get ourselves out of trouble. The past few weeks have been looking much better and hopefully now the results will start to come for us.”

Duffy, who is on-loan from Glasgow giants Celtic, admits he is thrilled to be staying at Alloa Athletic for the remainder of the season and is now hoping he can add the goals that have so far defied him this term.

The 21-year-old also revealed the coaching staff at Lennoxtown were fully behind him remaining in Clackmannanshire, so he's hopeful a big second half of the season can benefit both Alloa and the Parkhead outfit.

He said: “I am delighted to be staying at Alloa for the rest of the season and hopefully we can have a better second half of the season. I am now just looking forward to getting back involved in games and hopefully I can kick on myself. It was a very easy decision for me to make personally because I have really enjoyed my time at the club even although we haven't had the best time in terms of results. I have still loved being at the club despite that and the players in the dressing room are a great bunch of guys so I know we have the talent to turn things around.

“I am obviously learning a different side to the game in the Championship and it has been a tough learning curve for me, but I am feel like I have done well to adapt and now hopefully I can kick on and look to add some goals in the second half of the campaign. I still feel like I have been playing well in games, but I know what a lift that first goal would be for me. I spoke with the coaching staff at Celtic when Alloa made it clear they wanted to keep me and they all agreed that it would be good for me to stay on there and keep playing first team games.

“My U20s coach was pleased with the reports he's had on me from games, so hopefully I can continue to play games for the rest of the season and help Alloa to climb the table. If I can do that then hopefully I can impress the staff back at Celtic. The Championship is a great league to play in because it is so competitive and I know playing games against the likes of Rangers and Hibs can only stand me in good stead for the future.”

The former Derry City star has been impressed by new gaffer Jack Ross in his short spell at the club so far and believes he is already starting to make a difference.

Duffy added: “Working under Jack Ross the past few weeks has been great, I have really enjoyed his training and so that made my decision easier still. He is looking for us to be more positive as a team and obviously that is a big benefit to me as player. He has definitely gave everyone a real lift since coming in and training has been buzzing. We have been unlucky in our two games under him so far and now it is just all about having the belief to go and get the results.”