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  1. Morton v Dunfermline Athletic – Match Preview by Russell Gordon Morton welcome Dunfermline Athletic to Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology hoping to arrest a run of form that has now stretched to four defeats on the bounce after last Saturday’s defeat to Partick at Firhill. With the Pars’ form having improved since their East End Park mauling by Morton last month, Dougie Imrie’s side will be well aware of the threat James McPake’s side pose as the push for the promotion play-offs gathers pace, while both will also have a look over their shoulders for what’s going on further down the table. Match tickets are available at the below link: Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com) Photo - GBR Photographs. Squad News How Imrie will choose to line up is anyone’s guess. Having named an unchanged side in terms of personnel for the visit to Firhill, the decision to operate Tyler French in a holding midfield role, allowing Darragh O’Connor to go out to right back didn’t really work, and I’d expect to see French returned to his more natural right back position, or at least operating as a wing back in a back five. While all Morton fans are crossing their fingers for the return of George Oakley from injury, the loss of Iain Wilson has been just as critical, and the schedule for his return is also unknown, but expected to be later than that of the frontman. Jai Quitongo may also sit out, but it’s more of a surprise when he makes a squad these days, such is his misfortune. Imrie could look to drop one of Alan Power or Grant Gillespie, more likely the latter, to the bench, such was the more encouraging displays of Michael Garrity and Jack Bearne in particular on their introductions last weekend. One would expect Robbie Muirhead to again plough a lone furrow up front in Oakley’s absence, hopefully with Robbie Crawford, whose impact was somewhat stifled last weekend, getting up to support. Current Connections There are no former Morton players in the Dunfermline squad, with only manager James McPake having tasted the honour of pulling on the famous blue-and-white hoops, during a largely forgettable loan-spell from Livingston back in 2006. In the home camp, Robbie Muirhead endured a difficult time in Fife, having spent the majority of the 2018-19 season at East End Park and failing to find the net in twelve appearances. His relative success in his time at Cappielow must have proved frustrating to the Pars support who saw their side relegated while Muirhead prospered on Dougie Imrie’s arrival at Morton in 2022. Iain Wilson spent a year and a half at Dunfermline before being lured to Cappielow for his first spell at Morton shortly after the arrival of Imrie, finding the net for Morton as they visited the Fifers in a 1-1 East End Park draw that proved damaging in their attempts to avoid a play-off place at the bottom of the league and ultimately relegation to the third tier. Tale of the Tape Morton suffered two defeats in the season’s first two meetings, falling behind early on both occasions. In the first meeting in Fife, An 8th minute Craig Wighton goal gave the Pars the lead before Lewis McCann doubled their advantage after 27 minutes. On a day that anything that could go wrong for Morton did, new loan signing Tyler French was taken off injured before his replacement, Darragh O’Connor lasted only seven minutes before suffering the same fate. Robbie Crawford reduced the arrears late on but with Morton pushing for an equaliser, former St. Johnstone winger Michael O’Halloran added a third to seal the win for Dunfermline at the death. It was the Owen Moffat show in the opening minutes of Dunfermline’s last visit to Cappielow, with the Celtic loanee netting only 17 seconds into the game, before adding a second on seven minutes. On a night that frustrations really came to the fore in front of the BBC Scotland cameras, Wilson was seen to express his ire at the boss on his first half substitution, while Kirk Broadfoot exchanged angry words with sections of the support with Morton trailing. A more spirited second half performance saw Steven Boyd convert a late penalty, but Morton ran out of time to source what in truth would have been a scarcely deserved equaliser. But it was a much happier story last time around, with Morton recording their most convincing victory of the season, smashing five past an injury-ravaged Dunfermline side who simply couldn’t cope with Morton’s high press. This was big-bad-physical-Morton operating at their best. Doubles for centre backs Darragh O’Connor and Jack Baird put Morton in easy street before Michael Garrity added a fifth against a Dunfermline side who were admittedly appalling on the day, having been totally overran in midfield and having failed to deal with Lewis Strapp’s long throws all afternoon. Photo - GBR Photographs. Opposition Analysis Things have improved for Dunfermline since that East End Park horror show, although they also suffered another chastening defeat to Queen’s Park the following week, while a home draw with League One-bound Arbroath was definitely seen as two points dropped, rather than a point gained. Perhaps the turning point for them though, was their visit to Firhill to face Partick. The Pars recorded a 3-1 win, but few, even this observer, would suggest they weren’t the beneficiaries of favourable refereeing decisions, with Brian Graham having two goals ruled out for offside. It was Brian Graham though, so we’ll overlook it. The Pars followed that up with four points from games against Inverness and Ayr, but then suffered defeat to Airdrie in a rearranged fixture before losing for the fifth time this season to their big-spending Fife rivals, Raith Rovers. They did however, assist their moneybags neighbours last week by beating Dundee United 3-1 at East End Park, thanks in no small part to two goals and an assist from Kane Ritchie-Hosler. It’s noticeable from that 5-0 victory that of Dunfermline’s newly signed central defensive pairing who played that day, Cardiff loanee Malachi Fagan-Walcott seems to have settled into the Pars team, even bagging goals against Arbroath and Partick, while his compatriot from the Welsh capital, Xavier Benjamin, has barely seen any action in recent weeks. What’s Happening Elsewhere? There are only four Championship matches this weekend, with Partick hoping to follow up their victory over Morton by putting another nail into Arbroath’s coffin. Ayr host Queen’s Park at Somerset Park in a game that anything other than a home victory would be acceptable, but a draw preferable. Inverness, still smarting from Highland Council’s decision to reject their planning permission application for a battery farm, visit Tannadice to face league leaders Dundee United, charged with the task of dragging themselves from the relegation play-off place, with the hosts hoping to be energized by big-spending Raith Rovers’ failure to capitalise on their aberration last weekend. The far-from-frugal-Fifers sit out this weekend, with scheduled opponents Airdrie taking part in this season’s SPFL Trust Trophy Final against Welsh champions The New Saints in Grangemouth. Choosing between Airdrie winning the cup or Declan McManus winning it is quite a dilemma! We could see a new addition to the Championship this weekend. With League One minnows Falkirk currently sitting 17 points clear of second placed Hamilton, a win for them over already relegated Edinburgh City, coupled with second-placed Hamilton failing to defeat Cove Rangers in Aberdeen, will see them crowned as League One champions at the fifth attempt. I’m sure we will delight in congratulating them, look forward to them visiting Cappielow and enjoy journeys to Grangemouth next term. It’s been a while, after all. Photo - GBR Photographs. Betting Guide All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 21st March 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. Morton are listed as favourites at 11/10, with an away win priced at 11/5 and the draw at 23/10. Robbie Muirhead to net at least twice against his former employers is 5/1 and Morton to win without conceding is 13/5. Match Officials Referee- Steven McLean takes charge of his third Morton game of the season, having been in the middle of our 3-0 League Cup Group stage win over Stranraer and our 0-0 draw with Queen’s Park at Hampden last month. AR 1- David Dunne AR 2- Cameron Telfer
  2. Partick Thistle v Morton – Match Preview by Russell Gordon With Morton’s adventures in the Scottish Cup over for another year after Monday night’s gallant performance against Premiership heavyweights Hearts proved to be in vain, it’s back to the league for Dougie Imrie’s men, and an important match against our good friends Partick at Firhill. With our hosts on a poor run of form, having now gone eight matches without a victory after Tuesday night’s defeat to big-spending Raith Rovers, Imrie’s side will themselves look to get back on the saddle by recording their first win of the season against our friends from Glasgow. Photo - GBR Photographs. Squad News Monday’s change in formation against Hearts worked relatively well under the circumstances, but it could be argued that a less ambitious approach was required against more formidable opposition than Morton are usually exposed to. Imrie could again revert to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, with two of Michael Garrity, Lewis McGrattan or Jack Bearne coming into the team, assuming Jai Quitongo will again be out, as his nightmare season again saw him forced out of the cup quarter final. While long-term casualty Iain Wilson will certainly miss out, the match will also likely come too soon for George Oakley, and such is the English striker’s importance to Morton, Imrie will be wary of rushing him back for fear of risking a further set-back. Ryan Mullen, although still sporting heavy strapping on Monday night, certainly looked more like himself against the Jambos, having visibly struggled, particularly with his kicking against Dundee United. Should he revert back to his preferred formation, I’d expect Kirk Broadfoot to take his place on the bench, possibly alongside Grant Gillespie. Current Connections The only former Morton player in the Partick squad is club captain Brian Graham, who started his career at Cappielow, struggling to establish himself in the first team as a young player before leaving in 2011 to embark on a somewhat nomadic career, and finally making himself at home at Firhill. Young striker Ricco Diack’s dad Iain, had a somewhat uneventful spell at Morton in 2004-05, failing to find the net in one start and three substitute appearances. In the Morton squad, Robbie Muirhead is about as popular with the Partick fans as Graham is with the Morton support. Muirhead had a brief loan spell at Firhill in the second half of the 2015-16 season, scoring twice in eight appearances. Robbie Crawford spent the 2021-22 season in Glasgow before making the move to Morton following his surprise release at the end of that season, while Jai Quitongo also had a short spell at Firhill, leaving Morton after his contract expired in 2018, but moving onto Iranians Machine Sazi after only a few months. Tale of the Tape It doesn’t make for good reading. Morton’s early season frailties were exposed in a Cappielow horror show in early September. Having taken an early lead through a terrific Robbie Muirhead free kick, the loss of Robbie Crawford after 20 minutes proved the turning point in a game that most of us would rather forget. Steven Lawless restored parity before half time, and things fell to pieces for Morton with 20 minutes remaining as Brian Graham took great delight in netting twice in a minute against his favourite club. There was still time for Harry Milne to receive his marching orders, but even with only ten men, Tomi Adeloye put the icing on Partick’s cake by adding a fourth to make for a thoroughly miserable afternoon for the hosts. It wasn’t much fun at Firhill in November, either. With Morton enduring a horrible run at the time, they fell behind to an early Kerr McInroy strike. Though things looked bleak at that point, Morton grew into the game and Grant Gillespie equalised from the spot after 32 minutes. Things were to again fall apart for Morton as the game reached its latter stages, though. Only Morton could see an opposing player red-carded but not see the benefit of them being reduced to ten men, as Brian Graham was given his marching orders for a despicable gesture towards the Morton support, who had merely shown concern for his wellbeing following an uncharacteristically quiet performance, for which he had been substituted. Of course, as was Morton’s luck at the time, Blair Alston notched a fortuitous winner for the Glasgow side, as Graham stormed out the tunnel to carry on his completely unprovoked tirade at the innocent Morton fans. Fortunately, nobody was harmed. With things looking up in January, Morton were forced to settle for a draw. After Robbie Crawford’s early goal was ruled offside, the hosts took the lead after half an hour thanks to an own goal from Jack McMillan. Again though, it was a late show from Partick, with Ricco Diack coming off the bench to score an admittedly fine equaliser for Partick to ensure a share of the spoils. Photo - GBR Photographs. Opposition Analysis As I noted earlier, Partick aren’t enjoying their finest run of the season- though unfortunately, neither are Morton. They would have been disappointed not to at least collect a point from big-spending Raith Rovers on Tuesday night after dominating much of the game, but a first half Euan Murray header sent the points back to deepest, darkest Kirkcaldy with the moneybags Fifers. While goals haven’t been too difficult to come by in recent weeks, despite Tuesday’s blank, they’ve been leaking goals at an alarming rate. Having failed to win since their excellent Scottish Cup win in Dingwall, they’ve been knocked out the cup by Premiership strugglers Livingston, shipping a 2-0 lead to lose 2-3 after extra time, and conceded four goals to Ayr, three goals to Inverness and Dunfermline, a couple to Queen’s Park and one to Airdrie, Dundee United and big-spending Raith Rovers, only managing to collect draws against Airdrie, Inverness, Dundee United and Queens. The goalkeeper position has proved problematic, with Jamie Sneddon out for at least the medium term. Veteran former Stranraer custodian David Mitchell has the jersey just now, after Ross Stewart had a horrid couple of games, conceding seven in two games against Dunfermline and Ayr before losing his spot. However, with a three-pronged attack of Graham, Lawless and Aidan Fitzpatrick, it’s perhaps a relief that Morton’s recent injury woes haven’t really extended to the back line. With Partick having scored more goals, but not much between the clubs in terms of goal difference, a victory by two or more goals would take Morton above Partick in the table into third. What’s Happening Elsewhere? The weekend’s action kicks off with leaders Dundee United’s Friday night visit to Dunfermline for the BBC Scotland match. With United over the hill and far away from Morton at this point, there would be no complaints her if they were to keep the Pars at arm’s length from the ‘Ton. Morton’s nearest challengers for the final play-off place, Airdrie host bottom-of-the-table Arbroath, who even after their fantastic comeback win over big-spending Raith Rovers didn’t find themselves any better off following Inverness’s victory at Cappielow. By all accounts, the Red Lichties’ display at Tannadice last weekend was absolutely appalling, so don’t hold your breath for any favours, there. Inverness will be looking to climb out of the relegation play-off place by beating Ayr United in the Highlands, which would leave Scott Brown’s men staring down the barrel, while big-spending Raith Rovers have their second trip of the week to Glasgow to face Queen’s Park at Hampden. A draw between Thistle and Ayr and a win for the profligate Kirkcaldy side would do just nicely. Photo - GBR Photographs. Betting Guide All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 14th March 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. Partick are clear favourites to end their barren run of results at 23/20, while Morton are priced at a generous 19/10, with the draw at 5/2. Robbie Muirhead is 7/1 to score the opening goal of the game, while the draw at half time and Morton at full time is 6/1. Match Officials Referee- Dan McFarlane takes charge of his first Morton game since we beat big-spending Raith Rovers 1-0 at Cappielow in the third last game of last season. AR 1- Frank Connor AR 2- Robin Taylor
  3. Morton v Heart of Midlothian – Match Preview by Russell Gordon Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology hosts perhaps it’s highest profile match in a quarter of a century with the visit of one of Morton’s most unfamiliar foes in Premiership Heart of Midlothian, in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-final in front of the BBC Scotland cameras. Having already claimed one Premiership scalp in Motherwell, the competition’s only remaining non-Premiership club will be looking to claim a second and secure a semi-final berth for the first time since 1981. With the match not available on the season ticket, a limited number of individual match tickets for the Sinclair Street End are available at the below link, with the Main Stand and Cowshed sold out: Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com) Photo - GBR Photographs. Squad News It comes as no coincidence that having lost their two most influential players in George Oakley and Iain Wilson, Morton’s unbeaten run has come to a halt with consecutive home defeats to Inverness and Dundee United. One can only hope that Imrie has wrapped goalkeeper Ryan Mullen in cotton wool since Tuesday night’s Cappielow reverse to the Terrors, a game in which Mullen visibly struggled, requiring Darragh O’Connor to take goal kicks on his behalf. While Wilson will certainly miss out, Glen’s Vodka SPFL Championship Manager of the Month Dougie Imrie will be desperate to see the return of the talismanic Oakley, with Morton having failed to find the net in his absence. Should Oakley fail to make it, Jai Quitongo will likely deputise through the middle, with the probability of Robbie Muirhead taking on the role later in the game in the event of Quitongo being replaced. Kirk Broadfoot missed out against United through injury, but Imrie has indicated that he will return, most probably to the bench. I’d expect Michael Garrity to get the nod behind the main striker, with Grant Gillespie starting on the bench in anticipation of the amount of work that will be asked of Alan Power’s aging limbs. Having been booked twice already in the competition this season, Lewis Strapp would miss a potential semi-final should he collect another booking and Morton progress. Current Connections Scotland’s most gifted striker has represented both clubs- Robbie Muirhead spent the 2016-17 season at Tynecastle, scoring twice in eighteen games, with both goals coming in a 2-0 home win over Rangers. Morton’s now second choice goalkeeper, Jamie MacDonald started his career in the capital, making 116 appearances over a tumultuous period for the Gorgie club, which saw the glorious anarchy of the Romanov era, the trauma and uncertainty of administration and relegation to the Championship and the obvious highlight of keeping goal for their 5-1 2012 Scottish Cup final victory over local rivals Hibernian. There are two former Morton loanees in the visiting squad with winger Barrie McKay having spent the second half of Morton’s miserable 2013-14 season at Cappielow from former club Rangers, scoring five goals in eighteen games, including Morton’s only winning goal away from Cappielow in the league, notching the only goal in a victory at Livingston. Hearts star man Lawrence Shankland had a similarly unspectacular spell at Cappielow in the second half of the 2016-17. Having concluded a loan deal at St. Mirren from Aberdeen, he took the step up to Morton when his deal concluded, scoring four goals in sixteen games. Morton did reach the play-offs, but a late season dip in form helped contribute to a lame exit at the hands of Dundee United. The ‘Ton were also hindered by Shankland’s earlier involvement in the Scottish Cup with St. Mirren, cup-tying him for a trip to Ibrox, which the ‘Ton lost 1-2, without any viable striking options. He would move onto Ayr United, get his head screwed on and see his career go from strength to strength with it potentially peaking this summer if, as has been called for in many quarters, he leads the line for Scotland in this summer’s European Championships. Jai Quitongo’s dad Jose made thirty appearances for Hearts, mostly from the bench, between 1997 and 1999, scoring a memorable last-minute equaliser against Celtic at Tynecastle in 1998 as the Jam Tarts went head-to-head with Glasgow’s big two for the title, only falling away in the final few weeks of the season, but winning the Scottish Cup, although Quitongo didn’t make the squad for the showpiece occasion. Photo - GBR Photographs, Tale of the Tape It’s common knowledge that meetings between the two sides are few and far between, with Morton and Hearts continually avoiding each other in cup competitions for a generation or so before now, and the only meetings between the clubs since Morton’s relegation from the Premier Division in 1988 being three behind-closed-doors Championship encounters in the horrible COVID-affected 2020-21 season. Eventual champions Hearts took the spoils with a 2-0 win on their first visit to Cappielow in December thanks to two Jamie Walker goals, in a game in which Morton keeper Aidan McAdams’ performance kept the scoreline respectable. Morton’s visit to Tynecastle was a much more even affair, with Craig McGuffie shocking the Edinburgh side by firing Morton into a surprise lead, before Walker again netted for the Jambos to save them a point. It was again honours-even in the final meeting as a Morton side desperate for points to avoid the relegation play-offs couldn’t find a breakthrough against a Hearts side who had already been crowned champions, eventually settling for a goalless draw and surviving the hard way. Looking further back- the last Scottish Cup meeting was coincidentally also in 1988, which was won 2-0 by the Jambos in Edinburgh. The clubs have been drawn together eight times in the Scottish Cup, with Hearts progressing on seven of those occasions, including the 1968 semi-final, one of Hearts’ three replay successes. Morton’s only moment of joy also came after a replay, a 3-1 win at Tynecastle in 1981 courtesy of goals from Jim Rooney, Jim Tolmie and Bobby Thomson saw them through to face Aberdeen for what proved to be an especially memorable afternoon. Photo - GBR Photographs. Opposition Analysis There’s no escaping it- Hearts are on fire just now and have been for a considerable period. After a difficult start to his time in the Tynecastle hotseat, which was marred with controversy due to his lack of qualifications making him ineligible to lead his team in European competition, Steven Naismith’s side have settled and made the supposed battle for third place a procession, putting them in pole position for European group stage football so long as nobody other than they or the two big Glasgow clubs claim the Scottish Cup. This is of course in no small part helped by the scoring prowess of Shankland, but it would be foolish to label Hearts a one-man team. Other than Shankland, perhaps their standout performer has been Australian midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof, outstanding in last weekend’s victory over champions Celtic. We’ll likely see a rare appearance from Scotland keeper Craig Gordon, who has taken his place between the sticks in Hearts’ previous cup ties this season as he battles back from injury. Not wishing to harm his chances for a call up for the Euros, but if Naismith wishes to continue that policy, hopefully Monday’s game will be his last before the summer! I spoke to Adam Kennedy (@adamtkendo) of the Perth to Paisley podcast (@perthtopaisley) who wasn’t treating Morton lightly as he and many of his fellow Jambos make their first ever trip to Cappielow. “It’s been a wonderful time to be a Jambo recently, given the ridiculous run that Hearts went on from mid-December until we were thumped at Ibrox by a ruthless Rangers in our last away outing. Two matches at Tynecastle followed, just the small matter of an Edinburgh derby against Hibs and hosting the reigning Scottish champions- Celtic- at our place. What could possibly go wrong? I thought Sunday’s success against the team in green and white hoops had all the makings of a Celtic smashing beforehand… Brendan Rodgers’ side looked back to their best as they demolished Dundee 7-1 in midweek, and with the chance to go top of the tree and leapfrog Rangers, coupled with a disappointing derby display from a Hearts perspective- it seemed something of a certainty. However, as hasn’t been the case too often, the men in maroon were at it from the get-go. The ‘Second Half Hearts’ that we had become all too accustomed to seeing recently, had turned up from the very first minute. It would be naïve to suggest that VAR and controversy wasn’t at the heart of our victory last weekend. However, we needed a solid performance to stand a chance against Celtic and hopefully we see something similar against Morton on Monday night. Having come up against a potential banana skin in the last round, away to a decent Airdrieonians team, the Jambos produced a professional performance and swept the Diamonds aside with a 4-1 success in the last sixteen. With the possibility of a trip to Hampden of a Scottish Cup semi-final at stake, we cannot afford to take the ‘Ton lightly. Yes, we’re considered favourites in the eyes of many, but as Celtic proved at Tynecastle, that ultimately means nothing. From a personal perspective, I can’t wait to get to Cappielow and cheer the boys on. My dad reminisces about trips to Greenock. In particular, 20th October 1984, which he thinks was Sandy Clark’s first match for the Jambos, a game in which he popped up with the winner in a 3-2 victory. He was 18, but I’m 25 and only just managing to watch Hearts at Cappielow for the first time. The ‘Ton were also on a magnificent run until a wee stumble recently, I’m sorry that I hope the Jambos add to that. but I wish them well for the rest of the season. Here’s hoping that trips to Tynecastle for Morton fans, likewise excursions to Cappielow for Hearts fans, can become more frequent.” What’s Happening Elsewhere? By the time you get round to reading this, most of the action affecting Morton may well have taken place, given the BBC’s decision to save the best ‘til last this weekend. Starting with the Scottish Cup, quarter final weekend kicks off at Pittodrie with the meeting of two managers with Morton connections, as Neil Warnock’s toiling Aberdeen will be hoping the cup can provide welcome relief from their trials and tribulations in the league against Derek McInnes’s buoyant Kilmarnock, for a fixture that those with a morbid sense of curiosity may want to pay close attention too, with the ex-Aberdeen boss’s visiting side having more than a fighter’s chance of adding to the Dons’ woes. On Sunday, relegation threatened Livingston’s reward for their comeback victory over Partick in the last one is a big pay cheque and the probability of a heavy defeat at Celtic Park to show for their efforts. Later that day Rangers, fresh from their Europa League draw in Lisbon, visit Hibernian for the first Scottish Cup meeting of the clubs since the memorable 2016 final which saw Hibs end their 114-year wait for the famous old trophy. The semi-final draw takes place on BBC Scotland after Morton v Hearts. There are of course, four Championship fixtures on Saturday too, with only one club in the division retaining an interest in the competition at this late stage in the season. Leaders Dundee United will be looking to build on their midweek victory at Cappielow with a home win over bottom dogs Arbroath, who will also be looking to build on a positive result, having registered a fine comeback victory over big-spending Raith Rovers. The free-spending Fifers host local rivals Dunfermline for the sixth derby between the two this season, and with United likely to pick up three points in their own derby, will require a victory to avoid the Terrors stretching their lead at the top. Inverness host an Airdrie side that are suddenly breathing down Morton’s neck for a play-off place, having taken care of the East End Park club in midweek. There would be few complaints from Greenock if Duncan Ferguson’s side could replicate their result and performance from Cappielow this time around. In the final game, Queen’s Park host Partick in the Glasgow derby at Hampden, hoping for a win to propel them into play-off contention at the right end of the table, while Ayr United sit out with Morton otherwise occupied. Photo - GBR Photographs. Betting Guide All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 8th February 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. It’s no surprise that Hearts are favourites at 4/5, with Morton priced at 14/5 and the draw at 13/5. A Morton win in extra time comes in at 14/1 and Morton to win to nil is 6/1. Match Officials Referee- David Dickenson takes charge of his third Morton game of the season, having been in the middle for our 1-2 defeats by Rangers and big-spending Raith Rovers in the League Cup and the Championship respectively, even awarding Morton a penalty at Ibrox! AR 1- Dougie Potter AR 2- Gordon Crawford Fourth Official- Kevin Clancy
  4. Craig and Darren discuss the end of Morton's 16 match unbeaten run with defeats to Inverness Caledonian Thistle & Dundee United.
  5. Morton v Dundee United – Match Preview by Russell Gordon All good things must come to an end, and with Morton’s magnificent run of sixteen matches without defeat being halted by relegation-threatened Inverness on Saturday, league leaders Dundee United visit Cappielow Park Supported by Dalrada Technology hoping to keep their faltering chase to the finish line on track. With injuries building up, Dougie Imrie will be looking for an improved performance as his side attempt to get back on the saddle with a positive result against the title favourites. Match tickets are available at the below link: Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com) Photo - GBR Photographs. Squad News As we enter a crucial stage of the season, Imrie doesn’t have his problems to seek. Jamie MacDonald, not fully fit himself, is likely to continue in deputising between the sticks for Ryan Mullen, while long term casualty Iain Wilson will again sit out, after Imrie intimated prior to the Inverness match that his season could be over. Jai Quitongo again missed out the Inverness defeat only four games since he returned from his last injury setback. One can only hope that he’s not broken down again in his attempts to reach full fitness, as his injury-ravaged season takes another blow. Also likely to sit out is George Oakley, whose return can’t come soon enough, with Morton looking a completely different team without their talisman, after his rib injury sustained against Airdrie just over a week ago. Jack Bearne will hope for a starting berth after an encouraging cameo on Saturday, with Michael Garrity and Lewis McGrattan not making the best of their opportunities. Current Connections There are two Morton players who have represented the Terrors, both briefly. Robbie Muirhead signed on at Tannadice on transfer deadline day at the end of January 2015, for a £150,000 fee from Kilmarnock, only making fifteen appearances and scoring twice, against Aberdeen and Inverness towards the end of that season. He went on to sign on loan for Partick on the next transfer deadline day, before returning to Tayside in January 2016. He was released in April, signing for Hearts a couple of months later. Grant Gillespie had an even shorter spell in the City of Discovery, joining from Hamilton in January 2018 and making only six appearances as United missed out on the Championship title to St. Mirren and lost to Livingston in the play-off semi-final. That summer he moved to League of Ireland side, Derry City. United right back Liam Grimshaw spent last season at Cappielow following his release from Motherwell in the summer of 2022. After a slow start to his Morton career, he became a firm favourite with the ‘Ton support, eventually being awarded the club’s Player of the Year following an excellent campaign that saw Morton just miss out on a place in the promotion play-offs, before signing up at Tannadice in the summer. A familiar face in the United backroom staff is Andy Bryan, a lifelong Morton fan who spent most of his working life at Cappielow, fulfilling a multitude of roles from ballboy to kitman in over forty years serving the club before being relieved of his duties in the dark old days of Dave MacKinnon and David Hopkin. Tale of the Tape With this evening’s game being re-arranged from December, Morton have twice visited Tannadice this season without yet reciprocating United’s hospitality. The two visits have of course proven fruitful for our own favourites, garnering four points from six. In September, with Morton suffering a stuttering start to the campaign, they fell behind to an early Louis Moult header, but in a game marred by yet another horrific refereeing performance from Scotland’s most appalling Grade One official David Munro, Robbie Muirhead latched onto a mix-up between former St. Mirren defender Declan Gallagher and United’s on-loan goalkeeper Jack Walton to claim a point in unlikely circumstances. United could point to a penalty appeal that wasn’t spotted by the hapless official and weren’t happy with the ordering off of Matthew Cudjoe for an elbow on Calum Waters, but when footage was released, the referee’s assistant was proven correct in alerting Munro. No, I’m not giving him any credit for coming to the right decision for a change. Morton’s visit in January was one of those afternoons that will live long in the memory of many of those who travelled to Tannadice from the west, and George Oakley in particular. After the suspended Robbie Muirhead had bagged a perfect hat-trick the previous midweek against Ayr United, Oakley was not to be outdone, rising majestically to nod Michael Garrity’s pinpoint cross into the net to give Morton a 25th minute lead. His right-footed effort nine minutes later doubled the visitors’ advantage, before the hosts came roaring back, with headed goals from Kai Fotheringham and Louis Moult sending the teams in level at the break. With both teams looking for a winner in the second half, things reached boiling point in the 88th minute when Craig Sibbald, formerly of League One minnows Falkirk, was ordered off for a second booking. A minute later, Oakley completed his hat-trick, outmuscling Kevin Holt before lashing a howitzer into Walton’s net via the post to send the visiting support into raptures. Morton held on to record a fine victory, leaving the hosts to lick their wounds and under-pressure United boss Jim Goodwin to scramble for excuses for his own failings by blaming every party but himself for Morton’s shock victory. More of the same would be nice this evening! Photo - GBR Photographs. Opposition Analysis Despite their lofty position in the table, all in not well on Tayside. The cups haven’t been kind to Goodwin, who followed up his Scottish Cup defeat to Darvel that pushed him towards the Pittodrie exit door by going out of the League Cup in the group stages after a headline-grabbing defeat to Spartans, before going out the other two cup competitions to League One minnows Falkirk and Queen of the South. The league hasn’t been straightforward, either. With big-spending Raith Rovers on their coattails, and a late defeat to the moneybags Fifers last month, United have failed to exert their authority on the title race with only one win in four leaving them only a point clear, despite Murray’s Moneymen’s not-at-all-funny defeat by bottom of the table Arbroath on Friday night. I spoke to Gary Manson of the Shed 57 Dundee United Supporters’ Club (@Shed_57), who gave me his thoughts going into the game. “They say the league table doesn’t lie- but someone forgot to tell the United fans that. Despite being top, a point clear of Raith, whose stunning capitulation at Gayfield last Friday night allowed United to carve out the narrowest of breathing spaces with a turgid draw at Firhill on Saturday- the Arabs are far from happy. United conceded early on Saturday- an Aidan Fitzpatrick corner headed home by long term nemesis Brian Graham had Partick ahead after only three minutes and the remainder of the first half was pretty dire from the men in green. Jim Goodwin was on the receiving end of torrents of abuse from the visiting fans occupying the main stand at half time. A decent finish from Louis Moult in the second half restored parity, earned a point that looked unlikely at half time and took some of the mounting pressure off Goodwin’s shoulders. There are probably more questions than answers for Goodwin- a season that looked really positive before Christmas until a 0-1 home defeat to title challengers Raith caused United to unravel. Grim home defeats to Morton and most recently to a very ordinary Airdrie side, and another poor result in Kirkcaldy, have caused anger amongst the Tannadice faithful- mostly directed at Goodwin, and have left the United fans looking over their shoulders. This is United’s first trip of the season to the Tail o’ the Bank, with the fixture falling foul of the weather in December. Goodwin has made a series of changes to his starting eleven in recent games as he searches for a winning formula. Young Miller Thomson has been thrown in at right back in place of ex-Morton man Liam Grimshaw, Interestingly, Goodwin’s other option at right back, Kieran Freeman has moved onto St. Patrick’s Athletic, having seen few opportunities during the Tannadice boss’s year in charge. Thomson was one of the few players to get pass marks against Airdrie last midweek, but he struggled in the first half against Aidan Fitzpatrick’s physicality at Firhill but looked more comfortable when moved into midfield following Kai Fotheringham’s replacement with Grimshaw. Dougie Imrie will have an eye on United’s right back selection On Tuesday night as a chance to exploit a potential weakness. Kevin Holt and Declan Gallagher are pretty sound centre halves but in contrast to earlier this season, United are losing goals and George Oakley will have fond memories of his Tannadice hat-trick, though Gallagher sat out that particular game through injury. The return of Ross Docherty against his former club at the weekend added much-needed dig to the midfield. The captain lasted 70 minutes before being replaced and the United fans will hope he remains injury free as we head into the business end of the season. Kai Fotheringham, who was scoring regularly earlier in the season, hasn’t hit the net since that defeat to Morton at Tannadice in early January and looks a player short on confidence. Craig Sibbald has been dependable in the middle of the park and has good energy and a high work rate. United’s lack of depth was cruelly exposed last Tuesday though, when Goodwin opted for a 4-3-3 and handed starting berths to Chris Mochrie and Archie Meekison. Neither repaid Goodwin’s faith, with both turning in poor performances as United failed to dominate and deservedly lost the match. St. Mirren loanee Alex Grieve has had several opportunities since his arrival in January but is yet to find the scoresheet and has failed to impress thus far. He does cover a lot of ground but looks to lack a footballing brain and missed a sitter at Firhill on Saturday, which is unlikely to boost his confidence. Another player who is struggling with confidence is Glenn Middleton. Often in space out wide, a combination of frequent inside passes and stray crosses have marginalised his contribution. Former Steelman Louis Moult leads the United line and added to his goal tally for the season on Saturday, but injuries have prevented him featuring as prominently as he, and the United fans would have liked. The Terrors looked much better on Saturday when Tony Watt was introduced for the second half. Watt has been frustrating this season. He often falls out of games, but if United are to get over the title line, and return to the top division, they could come to rely on the experienced striker’s contribution. Overall, the situation at Tannadice is a strange one- league leaders, but unconvincingly so. A win at Cappielow would put clear daylight between United and Raith, and would ease the pressure a little on the embattled Goodwin- defeat, and the critics and detractors will simply become louder.” Photo - GBR Photographs. What’s Happening Elsewhere? There’s one other re-arranged fixture this evening, with Airdrie visiting East End Park for a twice-postponed fixture that coincidentally was called off as Dunfermline were enduring an injury crisis and a poor run of form. Thankfully for the Pars, with things beginning to look up, the game can go ahead, and if the teams could draw to cancel each other out that would be just lovely. With nothing else going on in the Championship, we’ll venture down to League One, though not for as long as Falkirk have, as the Bairns continue their quest to make it fifth time lucky against Cove Rengers in Aberdeen. In League Two, the league’s two newest clubs meet at New Dundas Park, as Bonnyrigg Rose host Spartans, while Stranraer, in danger of being sucked into a battle with Clyde to avoid the relegation play-off place, host Dumbarton. On Thursday, Scotland’s last remaining European representatives Rangers, visit the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon to face Portuguese big-hitters Benfica. I’m sure we all wish them well. Or perhaps not. Betting Guide All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 4th March 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. United go into the match as overwhelming favourites at 10/11, with Morton priced at 14/5 and the draw at 23/10. Robbie Muirhead is 9/1 to score the first goal, and Morton to get back to their miserly best at the back with a clean sheet is 3/1. Match Officials Referee- Lloyd Wilson takes charge of his second Morton match of the season, having previously taken charge of the re-arranged 2-1 victory over Inverness at Cappielow in December. AR 1- Graham McNeillie AR 2- Michael MacDermid
  6. Morton v Inverness Caledonian Thistle – Match Preview by Russell Gordon Off the back of Morton’s draw in Kirkcaldy against the league’s second top side, Dougie Imrie’s Morton welcome the league’s second bottom team to Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology with the visit of an Inverness Caledonian Thistle side who have struggled to drag themselves from danger despite some encouraging signs when the ex-Scotland striker took the reins in September. Having picked up four points from six this week, another three would see the ‘Ton extend their unbeaten run to an incredible seventeen matches! Match tickets are available at the below link: Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com) Photo - GBR Photographs. Squad News After enjoying a relatively lengthy period without too many injuries, they’re beginning to stack up again for Imrie’s team. Ryan Mullen sat out of Tuesday night’s draw and was replaced by Jamie MacDonald, who himself wasn’t fully fit, but turned in a solid performance in the kingdom, though he was well protected by his backline. Likewise, George Oakley was forced onto the sidelines after Aaron Taylor-Sinclair’s appalling foul last Saturday. Robbie Muirhead returned to the team, although he didn’t look his usual self, and Jai Quitongo up top through the middle didn’t really work, whether due to Quitongo’s own lack of fitness or how uncomfortable he was in the role is up for debate. Iain Wilson’s withdrawal on Tuesday was another massive blow, and the sight of him limping from the pitch wasn’t a pleasant one, although Grant Gillespie filled in admirably on his introduction. With Imrie needing to manage minutes with Morton’s hectic schedule, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Michael Garrity or Lewis McGrattan getting a starting berth, depending on the health and fitness of Muirhead and Quitongo. Current Connections After the recent departure of Steven Boyd, there are two former Thistle players in the Morton squad. Kirk Broadfoot enjoyed a season in the Highlands, playing his part in helping them to the Premiership play-off final, where they lost 6-2 on aggregate to St. Johnstone, before moving closer to home by signing for Lowland League Open Goal Broomhill and moving back up the pyramid to Morton as the plug was pulled on the fifth-tier side by their backers. George Oakley spent the first half of last season at Inverness, though an alleged difficult relationship with Billy Dodds soured his time in the north, and Dougie Imrie took his former Hamilton teammate to Cappielow in a move that has certainly suited Oakley and Morton. Dougie Imrie of course, had a two-year spell at the Caledonian Stadium from 2010-12, before moving to St. Mirren and then Morton in 2013. Inverness defender Wallace Duffy briefly joined Morton on loan from St. Johnstone in 2020, but left without playing a match after he was offered a permanent deal up north which suited Duffy and the Saints better than a temporary move to Cappielow. Photo - GBR Photographs. Tale of the Tape The teams have met twice this season, with Morton collecting four points so far. Off the back of the victory over Arbroath at Gayfield in December that kicked off Morton’s terrific unbeaten run, they dragged themselves off the foot of the Championship with a 2-1 midweek victory at Cappielow, in a match that was re-arranged from October. George Oakley pounced on a horrific error from Thistle defender Nikola Udjur to caress the ball into Mark Ridgers’ net. Jack Baird doubled the ‘Ton’s advantage by getting on the end of a mammoth Lewis Strapp throw in to lash home. A late Adam Brooks header made for a nervy ending, but Morton held on to kick start their season at long last. Later that month, while other clubs (including Inverness, whose game at Cappielow was postponed due to non-existent travel difficulties) weren’t asked to travel up and down the A9 in supposedly treacherous weather conditions, Morton and their fans weren’t extended such a courtesy, but secured a 0-0 draw from a fairly turgid affair in pretty foul conditions to maintain an unbeaten run which by that point had reached five games. Opposition Analysis Inverness are having a miserable time of it this season. After a slow start to the season, Billy Dodds, who had been given an extended contract off the back of their somewhat fortunate run to last season’s Scottish Cup final, was emptied to make way for Duncan Ferguson. That appointment saw an immediate reaction, with a 3-2 win at Gayfield taking them off the foot of the table at the expense of Morton and propelling them to a run of six unbeaten in the league before a narrow late defeat by big-spending Raith Rovers. Ferguson brought in free agents David Wotherspoon and Cillian Sheridan, with differing levels of success, resulting in both moving on- Wotherspoon to Dundee United, while Sheridan was released after a disappointing spell in the Highlands, eventually signing for Queen’s Park. They’ve also had their struggles off the pitch. After plans for a proposed battery farm on land owned by the club were approved earlier this month by Highland Council, the plans are now under review, which with massive losses year on year, was seen as a solution to addressing their financial woes, but has now left them in limbo until a decision is reached. Results since Christmas have been underwhelming, and coupled with the improved form of Ayr, Queen’s Park and Dunfermline in recent weeks, they’ve been left in the play-off place at the foot of the table, albeit seven points clear of Arbroath. A Scottish Cup exit to Hibernian has halted any chance of a repeat of last year’s cup run, and left only one Championship club in the competition at this late stage of the season. And since then, three draws haven’t done much to lift them up the table, although a last gasp Cameron Harper equaliser at Gayfield last weekend struck a hammer blow to the Red Lichties’ survival hopes, keeping their relegation rivals at arm’s length Photo - GBR Photographs. What’s Happening Elsewhere? Speaking of Arbroath, the BBC cameras visit Angus for the visit of big-spending Raith Rovers, an evening that the hosts will be looking forward to with a massive sense of trepidation after shipping six appalling goals to Queen’s Park in a midweek Hampden rout. On Saturday, the Spiders visit Airdrie in a game that any of a Morton persuasion would accept a draw from, although those with a more direct interest will be looking for a result to provide a cushion from the drop rather than catch the ‘Ton in the play-off places. It’s a similar scenario at East End Park, where Dunfermline host Ayr United. After collecting four points from their last two games, a win for the Pars would prove an excellent week’s work, while also damaging our nearest challengers’ hopes of catching Morton. The division’s match of the day takes place at Firhill, where a wounded Dundee United will hope to recover from their shock midweek defeat by Airdrie by maintaining their fine league record against Partick this season. With big-spending Raith likely to be topping the table going into the match, the pressure will be on the Terrors, and one can only hope they stand up to it, allowing Morton to take advantage with a win to move into third. Betting Guide All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 29th February 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. Morton are clear favourites at 4/5, with Inverness priced at 31/10 and the draw at 12/5. Grant Gillespie to score the final goal of the game is 8/1 and Morton to win without conceding is 2/1. Match Officials Referee- Graham Grainger takes charge of his second Morton match of the season, having been in the middle of our 1-2 defeat by Dunfermline at Cappielow in November. AR 1- Craig Ferguson AR 2- Scott Bunting
  7. Hal’s Heroes- Morton’s Greatest Ever Season By Russell Gordon As we’re all aware by now, 2024 is a year of celebration of all things Morton, as the club celebrates its 150th anniversary. But with so many ups and downs to look back on over those years, it would be remiss of me not to wax lyrical about what was perhaps the greatest individual campaign in Morton’s 150 years of unbroken history. After the relative highs of the 1940s, which peaked with a narrow Scottish Cup final replay defeat to Rangers in 1948, Morton dropped to Division Two the following season, before claiming the first of their ten league titles the following year. Their stay in the top tier wouldn’t last long however, as relegation soon followed in 1952, and so, more than a decade of discontent would follow, with Morton on the outside of Scotland’s top eighteen clubs, looking enviously in. The nadir of that era was to come in season 1960-61, as the Greenock side finished below such minnows as Albion Rovers, Cowdenbeath, Forfar Athletic and Falkirk- unthinkable these days! But 1961 saw the arrival of Dundonian, Haldane Stewart to Cappielow- a tobacco salesman who used the skills honed in his trade of choice in his new environment of Scottish football. A man well ahead of his time, Stewart understood that everything had its price, and was a master at his craft. He took the unusual step of taking over as both Director and Manager of the club, and improvement over the next two years was incredible, with two consecutive third placed finishes, which resulted in Morton missing out of promotion firstly by nine points to Queen of the South, who were a point short of champions Clyde, and then by a single point to East Stirling, who finished six adrift of champions St. Johnstone in those days of two points for a win. But there were reasons for optimism. Three consecutive defeats late in the season, two of them at the homes of the two promoted teams, had cost Morton their place in the top tier, but were off the back of eight consecutive victories. There was little reason to believe that this Morton team couldn’t challenge in 1963-64. Having won their final two games of the 1962-63 season, little did anyone at the time know that the club had built the foundations of a winning run of league games that will unlikely never be broken. But among the many highlights of the first half of the season, Morton’s League Cup campaign provided a glamour that had eluded the fans in the previous twelve years as their side came up against sides who were no longer regular foes, given the club’s lengthy sabbatical from Scotland’s top table. Morton bludgeoned through their group, collecting maximum points from their six matches against Ayr United, Stranraer and Clyde and scoring twenty goals in the process to set up a two-legged quarter final with Motherwell. A framed, and signed photo of Allan McGraw being held aloft by his jubilant teammates adorns the Cappielow boardroom to this day. With Morton taking up where they left off in the league, by taking care of League Cup opponents Stranraer and Ayr, as well as Dumbarton, they headed into the first leg at Fir Park with a 100% record for the season. There couldn’t have been too many disappointed Morton fans to see that record go when they emerged with a 0-0 draw to take into the second leg in Greenock, despite the ordering off of Bobby Adamson for retaliation, on what was incredibly, his wedding day! While I certainly hope he was comforted by his new bride later that evening, he didn’t have too long to wait to cheer his mood on the park. In front of a crowd in the region of 20,000 at Cappielow for the second leg, Alex Byrne gave the hosts an early lead before a second half Adamson goal sparked wild celebrations amongst the Morton faithful as they secured a semi-final meeting with Hibernian at Ibrox the following month. In the meantime, the league campaign was going along splendidly, with Morton bagging 23 goals across only four games, keeping their impeccable league record intact before their showdown with the Edinburgh side. It was Adamson who was again on the scoresheet for Morton in the 3rd minute, but Hibs’ Neil Martin levelled the affair after 20 minutes and the teams had to settle for a replay back at Ibrox the following week. And Morton were to prevail in the replay, thanks to a 64th minute penalty from the talismanic Allan McGraw, to the delight of the majority of the crowd, which saw them through to their first ever League Cup Final, and their first national final of any kind in just over fifteen years. What we’d give for that success rate now. A 7-1 win over Berwick was excellent preparation for the final meeting with favourites Rangers, but on a day that the burglars of Greenock must only have dreamed of, with all roads leading to Hampden, Morton succumbed in the second half, having missed two gilt-edged chances to open the scoring in the first. In front of a crowd of 105,907, Jim Forrest helped himself to four and Alex Willoughby one as Rangers ran out 5-0 winners- a result that most observers felt was extremely harsh on a Morton side who continued to attack after falling behind, allowing Rangers to pick them off as they threw caution to the wind. Any fears that the heavy defeat could derail Morton’s promotion charge were to prove unfounded though, as they followed up their final defeat with a 6-4 win over Forfar and an 8-0 rout of Hamilton Accies, eventually going on a run of twelve wins in a row before kicking off their Scottish Cup campaign with a disappointing draw with Cowdenbeath at Cappielow, before comfortably disposing of the Fifers in the Central Park replay. The Scottish Cup campaign however, was to be brief, as Morton fell to the other side of the Old Firm- Celtic recording a 3-1 second round victory at Cappielow to leave Morton to concentrate on their promotion charge. But the following week, on 1st February, it all came to an end. Morton travelled to Bayview for their 24th league game of the season, finally failing to win as East Fife ran out 3-1 winners against the champions elect. A winning run of 23 matches was remarkable, but an accumulative run of 25 has never been beaten in the history of Scottish football, and was only matched by a Celtic team consisting of a prime Henrik Larsson in 2003-04. But in that season, Larsson “only” managed to notch a paltry 41 goals in all competitions for the Glasgow giants, not a patch on the 58 goals scored by Morton legend Allan McGraw across the memorable campaign. Although the modest McGraw was quick to credit the contribution of his teammates, commenting in Graeme Ross’s Morton Greats in 2004, “Joe Caven made a lot of goals for me, and Bobby Adamson. Morris Stevenson and Jimmy Wilson take a lot of credit as well. It was a team full of characters. Jimmy Reilly, Jimmy Mallan, Bobby Adamson, Jimmy Wilson. Great Characters.” But Morton had to get back on track- there was a league to win. The juggernaut continued apace after that blip with three further wins before the visit of Forfar to Cappielow on 29th February, with Morton needing a win to secure promotion to the top flight. The match programme from Morton's momentous victory that secured promotion on this day sixty years ago. Things didn’t go according to plan from the off, though. After Jimmy Wilson and Ian Henderson had both gone close in the opening minutes, it was The Loons who took a shock lead through Ewen only six minutes in. Forfar almost made it two before Henderson and McGraw let chances pass them by and Joe Caven was denied by Forfar keeper, Henderson. Morton’s pressure paid off just before the half hour mark though, with Hugh Strachan’s strike leaving the stricken Forfar keeper as a mere spectator. The teams went in level at the break, but the second half couldn’t have been more contrasting, as Morton turned the screw to secure the two points the needed and send the 10,000 crowd celebrating into the Greenock night. But it took until the 69th minute for the ‘Ton to finally get the breakthrough, through Wilson. McGraw added to his impressive tally for the season a minute later. And a minute after that, McGraw doubled his account for the day from the spot to make it 4-1. Not to be outdone by Morton’s star man, Wilson collected his second of the afternoon, before Henderson put the cherry on the cake by adding a sixth. Morton were promoted and the champagne could be uncorked! Given the nature of the date, there can’t be many clubs that can see it as a landmark date in their club’s history, but this was the date that Morton secured Division One football for the first time since relegation in 1952 and the celebrations could begin. This was to be the eighth time in the league campaign that they notched at least six goals in a game, and to my knowledge the only time a team has ever secured promotion at such an early stage in the history of football in the United Kingdom at least. By a sad coincidence, as we mark the 60th anniversary of Morton’s incredible feat of 1963-64, we’re also approaching the first anniversary of the sad passing of Allan McGraw, whose death, along with that of Joe Caven, who passed later last year and was a great friend of many a Morton fan who enjoyed their trips to the Highlands in more recent times, was greatly mourned by all connected with Morton. I hope and trust that as their families have looked back on their lives, they’ll take comfort in reminiscing on their incredible achievements that season and appreciate how lauded they are by the Morton support some sixty years on. Morton's players enjoy a very well deserved lap of honour after securing promotion to the top flight. After a couple more wins against Stirling and Queen’s Park, which saw the title secured, a run of three consecutive draws against Arbroath, Alloa and Albion Rovers were the only further points that Morton dropped before bringing down the curtain with wins over Cowdenbeath and Raith Rovers. Morton were knocked out of the end of season Summer Cup in the group stages by Partick Thistle on goal average, as was used to separate teams back in the sixties, but in no way could it have put a dampener on a terrific season. Their record-breaking campaign saw them collect 67 points in the league, dropping only five across the whole campaign, reach the League Cup Final, win promotion in record breaking time, provide British football’s top goal scorer thanks to Allan McGraw’s 58 strikes and embark on a run of 23 league wins in a row to add to their two from the tail end of the previous season. To think that with the gulf in resources between the rich and poor in Scottish football since those days, only Celtic have managed to equal such a feat, and nobody has managed to beat it is testament to the achievements of the Morton team of the era. Those of us who have enjoyed title wins in the modern era will undoubtedly have fond memories of those successes, perhaps particularly the 2003 Third Division title, but no Morton side will ever win a title in such emphatic fashion. On writing my obituary for Allan McGraw just under a year ago, I concluded by saying that we will never see his like again. The same applies to his teammates. Bibliography Greenock Morton 1874-1999, Vincent P Gillen, 1998 Images of Sport- Greenock Morton 1874-1999, Jim Jeffrey, 1999 Morton Greats, Graeme Ross, 2004 Thanks to Leon Mooney for his help in fact checking, and to Chris McNulty for supplying photos.
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