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Arbroath v Morton – Match Preview by Russell Gordon With only a small concern over the possibility of Morton ending up in the relegation play-offs, and the play-offs at the right end of the table now arithmetically out of reach after a dismal seven weeks or so since Morton’s sixteen match unbeaten run came to an end, the irresistible force meets the immoveable object as our favourites make what could be their last trip to Gayfield for a while to visit already relegated Arbroath. While there aren’t many fixtures in this division that either team will relish, such is the turgid form of both, this is perhaps a game that Dougie Imrie and Jim McIntyre will look towards to provide some cheer at a time that points have been at a premium for both. Photo - GBR Photographs. Squad News There’s no secret that injuries have played their part in Morton’s late season decline, with talismanic striker George Oakley joining Lewis Strapp on the sidelines for the visit of Dundee United last Friday. There’s no indication of a return for either, but I suspect the withdrawal of Iain Wilson at half time last week was merely a case of Imrie managing the midfielder’s game time in order to aid his recovery. Imrie’s has also had his defensive woes of late, but he can consider himself lucky that Jack Baird hasn’t received a call from the Compliance Officer, after Morton’s vice-captain appeared quite conclusively to stamp on United striker Louis Moult in the first half of Friday’s defeat to the league leaders. There must have been fears that Baird would be facing at least a two match ban, but those appear unfounded. The manager could rotate again, with the likes of Michael Garrity and Jack Bearne pushing for Jai Quitongo’s place in the side, and the possibility of Robbie Muirhead dropping back should Oakley make a return to the starting XI. Current Connections Since the departure of Bobby Linn from Arbroath last summer, the only remaining player connecting the two clubs is between the Arbroath sticks. Derek Gaston was a popular figure in his seven years at Cappielow between 2012 and 2019, after arriving from Albion Rovers. making a significant contribution and bagging a League One winners’ medal in 2015 as Morton returned to Scotland’s second tier. After leaving Morton in 2019, Gaston moved onto newly promoted Arbroath, who allowed him to go part time to let him concentrate on furthering a career in coaching. Gaston’s contribution at Gayfield has been equally significant, playing a pivotal role in the Red Lichties’ incredible 2021-22 season in which they were pipped to the post for the Championship title by Kilmarnock. Though he hasn’t seen as much first team action this term, this may well be the last time the Arbroath custodian comes face-to-face with his former employers. Tale of the Tape It’s quite inconsiderate of Arbroath to go and get relegated, just as Morton finally manage to break their hoodoo against our friends from Angus. Their final win of their incredible run of thirteen games without defeat in the fixture came in August at Cappielow, as Arbroath registered a 3-0 victory over Morton as the visitors recorded their first league success of the campaign on a day the Morton’s early season optimism evaporated in alarming fashion. Kirk Broadfoot was penalised for handball in the box in the twentieth minute, allowing Michael McKenna to convert from the spot to give the visitors a surprise lead. That lead was doubled with fourteen minutes remaining when Iain Wilson, debuting on his return to the club from Queen of the South, turned the ball into his own net, before Joao Balde put the lid on a miserable afternoon for the ‘Ton by adding a fourth right on the final whistle. The hoodoo though, was finally broken in early December when Morton travelled to Gayfield and included the returning Lewis Strapp in the matchday squad. With their early-season injury woes beginning to clear, Lewis McGrattan got on the end of a beautiful through ball from Jack Bearne to give Morton a first half lead before Arbroath stalwart David Gold levelled the affair on the hour. However, with eleven minutes to go, Morton utilised a weapon that they had been deprived of all season, as Strapp’s long throw was nodded on by Robbie Muirhead and landed at the feet on George Oakley, who turned and rifled the ball into the net to give Morton a long overdue victory. Arbroath’s visit in January was a more straight-forward affair, though Morton did make heavy work of their 3-0 victory against ten-man Arbroath who lost the experienced Keghan Jacobs to two quickfire bookings in the 25th and 26th minutes. It took two penalties, from Robbie Muirhead on 63 minutes and Grant Gillespie in the 82nd, sandwiching a fine 75th minute George Oakley goal to give Morton the points against an Arbroath side for whom relegation was beginning to loom large by that stage of the season. Photo - GBR Photographs. Opposition Analysis There’s no hiding from it, Arbroath have endured a miserable campaign, with their relegation rubber stamped last weekend by a 0-5 Somerset Park drubbing. They’ve failed to pick up a single point since their remarkable, and not-at-all-funny 3-2 comeback victory over big-spending Raith Rovers. Seven consecutive defeats have followed, and over the course of the season there have been a number of heavy drubbings, with a 0-17 aggregate to champions-elect Dundee United the most damning statistic. The departure of long-serving manager Dick Campbell after their shock Scottish Cup exit to League Two Spartans ended up quite a messy affair, and the appointment of his successor, man-of-many-club Jim McIntyre, just hasn’t proven to be a success on any measurable scale. I spoke to our friend from the east coast, Ewan Smith (@ewansmithpr) about Arbroath’s dismal campaign and his hopes for the match and going forward in League One: “With relegation confirmed after a 0-5 defeat by Ayr last week, it’s all about pride for Arbroath. In truth, it’s been an incredibly difficult season for all at Gayfield. The horrendous injury situation, that at one point saw twelve players sidelined, had a hugely detrimental impact on the club and forced its hand into making emergency signings. But the simple fact is that the team hasn’t been good enough over the course of the season to survive. They deserve to finish bottom. There have been a lot of poor performances and too many uncharacteristic hammerings. The club’s success was built on a solid backline, but injuries and loss of form have driven a wedge through that. Where does the club go now? Financially, it’s on a solid footing. The club has made a lot of sound commercial decisions and has strong links to local businesses and the wider community. But on the park there needs to be, and will be, a big rebuild job. It’s not going to be easy, but the re-signing of key player Scott Stewart on a new two-year deal is a welcome boost and he’ll be a crucial player going forward. There is such a strong affinity between players such as Stewart, David Gold, Tam O’Brien, Michael McKenna and Derek Gaston., and if Arbroath can hold onto their core players and add quality then they can make a fist of it next term. Until then though, they need to make an impact in their final three Championship games. Morton used to be a game Arbroath fans relished, on the back of an unbeaten record that evaporated this season. But on the back of a public meeting between manager Jim McIntyre, long-serving David Gold and the fans, it will be interesting to see how the team and the home support react.” What’s Happening Elsewhere? After United’s resounding victory at Cappielow last Friday, the winning post is in sight for Jim Goodwin’s side, who sit six points clear at the top of the pile with only three games remaining. The Arabs will have their eyes glued to their TVs on Friday night, as big-spending Raith Rovers’ visit to an Inverness side who dragged themselves out of the relegation play-off place with a vital win at Hampden that saw them overtake their hosts Queen’s Park, last weekend. Should the lavish-spending lino cutters fail to win, a victory for United at home to Ayr will see the champagne corks popping at Tannadice, although in truth, such is their massive goal difference advantage, any result in Inverness coupled with a Dundee United victory will effectively guarantee the title. More pertinently for Morton- should Raith win on Friday, a Morton victory would guarantee that we finish above the Highlanders and keep our place in the division of another season. A draw in Inverness and a Morton win would mean Inverness could only finish level on points with Morton. The other match directly affecting Morton is Queen’s Park’s visit to Dunfermline. With the Spiders sitting five points behind Morton, the ‘Ton could be guaranteed to finish above the Glasgow side should results go as hoped. Heaven forbid, Morton lose and both Inverness and Queen’s Park win, but we’ll worry about that at 5pm on Saturday! In the final match, Partick host Airdrie in a dress rehearsal for the play-off quarter final. Yuck. Elsewhere in Scotland, the Scottish Cup semi-finals take centre stage, as Celtic face Aberdeen at Hampden on Saturday and Morton’s quarter-final conquerors, Hearts, travel to the National Stadium to face Rangers. With the League One, League Two and Lowland League titles all done and dusted, there’s a box office finish to the Highland League season, with Buckie Thistle sitting in the box seat, on 78 points with a goal difference of 63 goals, while nearest challengers Brechin City are also on 78 points, but with a goal difference of 61 goals. Buckie have scored nine more goals and host Keith in their final game, while Brechin travel to Brora Rangers. Fraserburgh can technically still win the title, but sit three points behind the two favourites with a goal difference of 54. They do host league whipping boys Strathspey Thistle, but the likelihood of both losing while they make up the considerable goal difference is remote. The eventual champions travel to K-Park to play Lowland champions East Kilbride next Saturday for the play-off semi-final first leg, before hosting the Oystercatchers in a fortnight’s time for a crack at whoever finishes bottom of League Two, with Clyde currently occupying the dreaded Club 42 spot. Photo - GBR Photographs. Betting Guide All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 18th April 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. Morton are clear favourites going into the match, despite their woes of recent weeks. The visitors are priced at 8/15, with Arbroath at 4/1 and the draw at 3/1. Match Officials Referee- Callum Scott officiates his second Morton game of the season, having stood in the middle of their 4-1 League Cup Group Stage victory over Edinburgh City. AR 1- Daniel McFarlane AR 2- Elliot Husband Powton

Morton v Dundee United – Match Preview by Russell Gordon Well, that’s it. Done and dusted. We can forget about promotion, and don’t have any realistic concerns of relegation either. And so, begins the first of four dead-rubbers from a Morton perspective. Their visitors Dundee United however, have far more pressing issues after Airdrie’s victory over big-spending Raith Rovers left the Terrors in pole position in the race for the Championship title, with their trip to Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology attracting the BBC Scotland cameras for a game that unfortunately won’t mean as much to those of a Morton persuasion. Match tickets are available at the below link: Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com) Photo - GBR Photographs. Squad News With this evening’s match being Morton’s third in six days, Dougie Imrie could again shuffle his pack, and with the welcome return of midfielder Iain Wilson at Somerset Park on Tuesday night from the bench, we could see him take his place in the starting XI after a relatively encouraging return on an otherwise dour evening’s “entertainment”. While I’d expect Cammy Blues to start, that probably leaves one spot to be fought for between Wilson, Grant Gillespie and Alan Power. For the time being at least, it looks as though Kirk Broadfoot is the preferred defensive option to Darragh O’Connor, and after notching a goal against Ayr, will likely continue in the starting XI. Imrie did intimate before the Somerset draw that only Jamie MacDonald and Lewis Strapp are injured, although the nature of the injury Strapp picked up against Dunfermline, and the length of his absence remain unclear. He has pointed out that there were a few niggles and knocks since that draw, and he could be waiting until late on for a couple to prove their fitness. While Michael Garrity started on Tuesday, Jai Quitongo, Lewis McGrattan and Jack Bearne will also be pushing for a start. Current Connections There are two former United players in the Morton squad. Grant Gillespie enjoyed only a short spell at Tannadice, in the second half of the 2017-18 season, making only six appearances as United were denied promotion by title winners St. Mirren and eventual play-off winners Livingston at the semi-final stage. Robbie Muirhead joined Dundee United for a £150,000 fee from his boyhood heroes Kilmarnock in January 2015, a move that saw then-Killie boss Allan Johnston handing in his resignation as a result. He was to make only fifteen appearances, scoring twice: in a 1-2 defeat by Inverness and more notably, the only goal in a 1-0 victory over rivals Aberdeen. In the visitors ranks, only Liam Grimshaw has represented Morton. The affable right back/midfielder joined up under freedom of contract in the early weeks of last season, enjoying a brief but successful spell in Greenock, in which he won the club’s Player of the Year award before moving onto Tayside as Morton were unable to compete with United’s more attractive financial package. Another familiar face to the Cappielow was former kitman Andy Bryan, who served Morton for over forty years in various capacities before he was removed from his position by Dave MacKinnon in the bad old days of he and David Hopkin’s reign of terror. Tale of the Tape It’s very much honours even between the sides this season. On Morton’s first trip to Tannadice in September, the struggling visitors fell behind to an early Louis Moult header, but battled back in the second half, as Robbie Muirhead latched onto a howling mix-up between United’s Luton loanee goalkeeper Jack Walton and former Scotland defender Declan Gallagher to snatch an unlikely equaliser. The game was ruined by the appalling performance of referee David Munro, however, and not for the first or last time this season, although he did make one correct decision in ordering off United’s Matthew Cudjoe, for an elbow on Callum Waters. If the first visit was all about the hapless Munro though, Morton’s George Oakley stole the show second time around with a fantastic hat-trick to shock the title favourites and deliver three points to Dougie Imrie’s side. Oakley nodded home Michael Garrity’s pinpoint cross on 25 minutes and poked in a second 11 minutes later to double the ‘Ton’s lead, but United hit back immediately through a Kai Fotheringham header, and Moult equalised on the stroke of half time. While United dominated the second half, things turned late on when they were again reduced to ten men as Craig Sibbald was ordered off for a second bookable offence. A minute later, Oakley got on the end of a long Ryan Mullen clearance and outmuscled Kevin Holt before his terrific strike kissed the inside of the post on the way in, much to the delight of the Morton bench and the travelling support. In the most recent meeting at Cappielow, re-arranged from December, United won 1-0 thanks to a first half goal from Moult, a real thorn in Morton’s side all season. I won’t go into it in the same length I did our victory at Tannadice. Photo - GBR Photographs. Opposition Analysis Quite how they’ve managed it I don’t know, but United are now clear favourites to seal the title. Many may argue that it’s despite Jim Goodwin rather than because of his good work, but it can’t be denied that when questions have been asked at the business end of the season, they’ve delivered the goods, rather than drawing cartoons and chasing likes on social media, while their big-spending title challengers Raith Rovers have stuttered. United’s victory over the far-from-frugal Fifers last weekend was pivotal, and in following it up with a 5-0 victory over Queen’s Park, they look to have hit form at the right time, coinciding with Raith failing to make the most of their significant financial clout against Airdrie in midweek, a result that did our own promotion ambitions no favours at all. I spoke to our regular United port of call, Gary Manson of the Shed 57 (@Shed_57) supporters’ club, who is feeling a bit better about life on Tayside these days: “Things are looking much rosier on Tannadice Street since United last visited Cappielow. Airdrie’s win at Stark’s Park on Tuesday night has given United valuable breathing space in the title race and they can take a huge step towards the Premiership with a win on Friday night. There have been a few ropey moments in the last few weeks- not least relying on Louis Moult scoring from the halfway line to salvage a 1-1 draw with struggling Inverness, but a 2-0 win over Raith at Tannadice a fortnight ago put United in the driving seat and last weekend’s 5-0 demolition of Queen’s Park at Hampden further underlined the Tangerines’ title credentials. Jack Walton has overall been a reliable pair of hands in the goal and has been an enormous improvement on the catastrophic and calamitous goalkeeping from last season which contributed so heavily to United losing their Premiership status. Young Miller Thomson has slotted into the right back position and is growing in confidence with every passing week. Earlier this season, United had experienced centre halves in Declan Gallagher and Kevin Holt, but injury has meant that Ross Graham and Northern Irishman Sam McClellan have stepped up to the first team with two consecutive clean sheets to their credit. Scott McMann, who’s featured heavily this season makes up the regular back four. United are a different side with Ross Docherty in the midfield. Docherty brings a definite confidence and composure to the middle of the park and helps the United midfield to dictate the pace of the game. Craig Sibbald, the leading contender for United’s Player of the Year award, has had a solid season and has staked a claim for a midfield berth should United return to the top division. Tony Watt remains something of an enigma. He had a great game against Raith at Tannadice, scoring United’s opener and proving a constant thorn in the Raith defence, but too often he’s appeared disinterested, and the game passed him by. Morton fans will hope that Watt has a quiet night at Cappielow as he can on occasion prove United’s most threatening attacking player. Young Kai Fotheringham has enjoyed a good season, and since breaking into the first team he has chipped into United’s title push with eleven goals. His brace at Hampden last week will breed confidence for Friday night and his return to goalscoring form enhances United’s attacking threat in a forward line which is completed by Louis Moult, who will be looking to score in a fourth consecutive game. Much of the United support have been far from happy with their team’s efforts this season. Seldom can a team at the top of the league have generated so much negativity and there is an element of the support that is far from convinced by Goodwin. That all has the potential to change in the event of getting over the line, lifting some silverware and returning to the topflight, though. Eight points from four games is enough, irrespective of Raith’s results- the travelling support will hope three of those are added this evening.” Photo - GBR Photographs. What’s Happening Elsewhere? With finishing as high up the table as possible the only realistic aim, there’s not much to get excited about, I’m afraid. Fifth placed Dunfermline travel to Airdrie, and a Diamonds victory at this stage would probably be the best-case scenario at this stage in terms of picking up prize money, but if we’re being honest, there’s nothing that will suit Morton. Big-spending Raith Rovers face Partick at Stark’s Park in a game that could be a dress rehearsal for a play-off semi-final that picking a preferred winner from would be akin to choosing your favourite serial killer. At the bottom of the table, Arbroath’s inevitable relegation will be rubber-stamped should they fail to beat Ayr or Inverness collect anything at Hampden. That fixture at the National Stadium is probably the biggest match-up of the weekend, with the Highlanders sitting a point behind their hosts as both battles to avoid ninth place and a likely semi-final against Montrose in early May. Betting Guide All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 11th April 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. Unsurprisingly, the visitors are clear favourites at 4/5, whilst Morton are priced at a very large 3/1 and the draw at 5/2. Morton to win 1-0 is 10/1 and George Oakley to score the first goal is priced at 13/2. Match Officials Referee- Graham Grainger takes charge of his fourth match at Cappielow this season, and the omens aren’t good, with the official having presided over defeats by Partick, Dunfermline and Inverness. AR 1- Chris Rae AR 2- Iain Hart Fourth Official- Lloyd Wilson

Ayr United v Morton - Match Preview by Russell Gordon There’s no hiding from it, after Saturday’s terribly disappointing result from a miserable afternoon in Airdrie, Morton are playing for snookers if they are to have any ambitions of claiming a play-off place, with the Diamonds now five points clear of them and looking like clear favourites to book a quarter final meeting with Partick in early May. The visit to Ayr United- another side on the periphery of the play-off race, will now take on an extra significance after the weekend’s result, as Morton find themselves in a similar position to last term, when they were in the position that there was no margin of error if they were to have any chance of making the top four. Photo - GBR Photographs. Squad News After Saturday’s debacle, there must be a few who are concerned for their starting berths. I’d expect to see Darragh O’Connor return to the starting XI, whether for Tyler French or Kirk Broadfoot, neither of whom enjoyed distinguished afternoons, is up for debate. Lewis Strapp has been a terrible miss- the loss of the attacking outlet from his long throws has been an obvious miss, but the downgrade in Calum Waters is also telling. While it’s difficult to feel anything but sympathy for the former Kilmarnock left back, the return of Strapp can’t come soon enough. Though Alan Power has enjoyed great plaudits as Morton have suffered a difficult time in recent weeks, the time may well have come for the Irishman to sit out after a disappointing afternoon in which he lost possession in the lead up to Airdrie’s first two goals. Grant Gillespie would be the most likely replacement, but like Strapp, we’re counting down the minutes until the return of Iain Wilson. I’d expect to see Jai Quitongo get a start after the wide man added a bit of energy to Morton’s attack, providing a fine run and cross for Michael Garrity’s fortuitous consolation goal. Jack Bearne would probably be the most likely to return to the bench. Current Connections There are often a number of former players at each club, given their similar statures and proximity, with of course the legacy of both clubs’ times managed by David Hopkin. Apologies to fans of either who may get PTSD from the reminder of his reigns of terror at each. However, only Sean McGinty remains at Ayr from Hopkin’s band of brothers- the Ayr captain arrived from Cappielow in the summer of 2021 after an unhappy time at Morton (not only for McGinty, some of us had to watch him in blue and white hoops). Since then, McGinty has enjoyed his ups and downs against Morton, missing the decisive penalty in a SPFL Trust Trophy shoot out win for Morton last term and taking great pleasure in scoring Ayr’s second in a 3-1 win in Greenock later that season. Before Hopkin’s time at Morton, Raymond McKinnon foolishly allowed Andy Murdoch to leave without tying him up on a new deal on his arrival in 2019. Not the most foolish decision he made that summer admittedly, but since then Murdoch has been a mainstay at Ayr until the injury inflicted on himself on the season’s opening day after a shocking challenge on Jai Quitongo, that has seen him sit out the full campaign. Jack Baird made the move in the opposite direction in 2022, after having previously spent a season on loan at Morton from St. Mirren and a couple of years at Somerset Park. Grant Gillespie joined up at Somerset in the January transfer window of 2020, but with the season curtailed by the COVID pandemic, managed to make only five appearances for the Honest Men before moving onto Queen’s Park. Robbie Crawford started his career with Ayr, staying seven years before moving onto Livingston and subsequently Motherwell and Partick, before joining Morton early last season under freedom of contract. Morton assistant Andy Millen can of course, count Ayr amongst his litany of former employers. Photo - GBR Photographs. Tale of the Tape Now for the good bit. Morton have picked up nine points from nine against Ayr, a side that generally have the better of the head-to-heads even when Morton are enjoying a better season. The opening day of the season saw Morton record an excellent 3-1 victory having fallen behind to a 51st minute strike from Murdoch’s replacement Oliver Pendlebury, following the ex-Morton man’s withdrawal after his aforementioned howler of a tackle on Quitongo. Robbie Crawford curled in a fine equaliser on 62 minutes before a Robbie Muirhead penalty fifteen minutes from time gave Morton the lead. Steven Boyd’s late goal from close range, following terrific work from Jack Bearne on the right, sealed a fine three points as Morton started the season in fine style. It’s fair to say that was to prove a false dawn however, as it wasn’t until late October that Morton recorded their next league win of the season- again against the Honest Men. In a tousy affair that looked to be fizzling out to a goalless draw, George Oakley nodded home an Alan Power free kick three minutes from time to give Morton the points, and create bedlam amongst the Morton players and fans. As we entered the new year, with Morton’s fortunes taking a turn for the better, they were first footed by an Ayr United side who would have been as well not turning up for the Robbie Muirhead show. Muirhead was to enjoy perhaps his finest day in a Morton jersey, nodding in a 35th minute opener from a cross beautifully put up by Cammy Blues, before adding two more in the second half- the pick being his second from a fine run and right foot shot beyond Robbie Mutch on 57 minutes. His third a couple of minutes later saw him collect a Kirk Broadfoot pass at the edge of the box before reversing the ball across the goalkeeper with his left and complete a perfect hat-trick to pick up a well-deserved man of the match award and match ball for a fine afternoon’s work. Though Morton collected maximum points from their meetings with Cove Rangers last season, a win this evening would see them return the maximum from another side in this division for only the second time since completing a clean sweep against Airdrie in 2012-13. Opposition Analysis While Morton have had the better of Ayr over the course of the season, only league leaders Dundee United have enjoyed such a fine run of results against the Honest Men, who have been a model of inconsistency. In fact, their last ten league games have seen a run of a victory followed by a defeat, then followed by a victory. That of course included fine wins over Partick and Airdrie that really should have done Morton a favour, though we’ve failed to take advantage. Joy of joys, defeat by big-spending Raith Rovers on Saturday means that if they’re to continue that run, we can expect defeat this evening. Of course, since that last meeting at Cappielow, Ayr boss Lee Bullen has been relieved of his duties and replaced by former Hibernian, Aberdeen and Scotland midfielder Scott Brown. Despite their inconsistencies, Brown has steered Ayr clear of any major relegation concerns and will look to put a stamp on the side over the summer. I asked our regular font of knowledge for all things Ayr United, Marc Dunlop (@Marco_Ayr) for his thoughts going into the match: “The Honest Men host Greenock Morton on Tuesday evening in what the majority of Ayr supporters are calling a must win game. In what has been a hugely inconsistent campaign for Scott Brown’s men, nobody connected to Ayr can relax just yet, with the relegation play-off place still within touching distance, while Ayr’s poor record against Morton this season can’t be ignored. Ayr will be without Paddy Reading and ex-Morton man Andy Murdoch, and will give late fitness tests to Nathan McGinley and Frankie Musonda, who both missed the weekend defeat in Kirkcaldy. Kurt Willoughby should come into the manager’s thoughts for a starting place, as should academy graduate Scott Tomlinson, who has impressed since his debut earlier this year. All in all a pivotal game for Ayr as we continue to look over our shoulders, stuttering towards the finishing line. C’mon Ayr!” Photo - GBR Photographs. What’s Happening Elsewhere? After the weekend’s disappointment, there may be some with their eyes on events at Kirkcaldy and looking for a favour from big-spending Raith Rovers as the moneybags Fifers host Airdrie in a match re-arranged from the weekend of the Diamond’s SPFL Trust Trophy Final success. With Airdrie now sitting five points clear of Morton, the ideal scenario is of course victories for Morton and Murray’s Moneymen. Fans of Ayr, Airdrie, Dundee United and Dunfermline of course, may disagree! Elsewhere in Scotland- in the Premiership, Rangers can go top with a win over Dundee on the Dens Park bog with a win, while the Dark Blues will be looking for the points to confirm their top six berth on their return to the Premiership. In the fifth tier, East Kilbride can secure the Lowland League title if they avoid defeat at Civil Service Strollers, and the Highland League title race is really hotting up between four clubs, but the two most likely to contest the crown are Brechin and Buckie Thistle. Brechin, who are six points clear of Thistle go to Keith, but Buckie with two games in hand face a somewhat stiffer test at home to Brora Rangers. Betting Guide All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 8th April 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. Morton again go in as favourites at 13/10, with Ayr priced a 9/5 and the draw at 23/10. Morton to score in both halves is 12/5 and Robbie Muirhead to repeat his feat of Ayr’s visit to Cappielow by bagging another treble is 50-1, for the more optimistic among us. Match Officials Referee- Iain Snedden takes charge of his third Morton game of the season, having officiated the 0-3 early season defeat by Arbroath and the memorable 3-2 win over Dundee United at Tannadice in January. AR 1- Dougie Potter AR 2- Scott Bunting

Airdrieonians v Morton – Match Preview by Russell Gordon Having gotten back on the saddle last weekend with a comfortable victory over their little pets Queen’s Park at Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology, Morton kick off a run of three games in six days with what to date is their biggest game of the league campaign, as they head to North Lanarkshire to face Airdrieonians, the club currently occupying the coveted fourth place in the table that Morton will aspire to reach at the season’s conclusion to guarantee a play-off place. With any relegation fears now realistically put to bed following the weekend’s results, Saturday’s match will likely determine whether or not Morton are playing for anything more than pride and prize money as the campaign hurtles towards its conclusion. Photo - GBR Photographs. Squad News Things are beginning to look up again after a difficult time with injuries. George Oakley of course has had another week back in the team, and Jai Quitongo looked a lot more like himself in Saturday’s second half cameo. There is of course a concern over Lewis Strapp, who missed the victory over the Spiders having limped off against Dunfermline a fortnight ago, but hopefully we’ll see him return to the squad ahead of the match. Iain Wilson is likely still a bit away from a return. One player who’ll hope for a starting berth will be Jack Bearne, who was excellent in a rare start last weekend and should be looking to build on his fine performance if given the opportunity against Airdrie. I’d expect Kirk Broadfoot to continue in defence over Darragh O’Connor, but it is nice to have some options again. Current Connections There are no former Airdrie players in the Morton squad, but three in the Diamonds’ camp. Lewis McGregor joined then-League One Airdrie in last year’s January transfer window from Morton, helping them to promotion via the play-offs and netting a winner at Cappielow earlier in the season. Charlie Telfer is another former ‘Ton man who found his way to New Broomfield, having endured the 2018-19 campaign under Raymond McKinnon and Jonatan Johansson. He would only spend one season at Cappielow before re-joining McKinnon, now managing League One minnows Falkirk, who he had helped relegate with his strike in Morton’s 2-0 win late in that season, leaving Falkirk in League One for 5 (five) seasons before winning The World’s Tallest Dwarf competition this season, so congratulations to them. Telfer joined up at Airdrie at the start of last season, and like McGregor helped the Diamonds to promotion via the play-offs, helping them destroy former club Falkirk 7-2 on aggregate in the play-off semi-final, en route to the Championship, and leaving League One so weak that even Falkirk couldn’t make a mess of it fifth time around. Airdrie’s veteran reserve keeper David Hutton spent the 2012-13 season as Derek Gaston’s understudy at Cappielow, making only three appearances. Tale of the Tape This is the fifth meeting of the teams, and it’s fair to say there’s not been much between them in any of the previous four. Airdrie took the spoils from their first two trips to Cappielow this season, with Lewis McGregor enjoying his return to Greenock by notching the winner against a depleted Morton in the season’s first league meeting that left Dougie Imrie’s side rooted to the foot of the table. Seven weeks later, the Diamonds would return to Cappielow on SPFL Trust Trophy duty, and were to weather quite a storm as a Morton side whose injury worries were gradually beginning to clear put in a fine performance, particularly in the second half, but did everything but find the net before bowing out of the competition after Josh Rae stopped Lewis McGrattan’s spot kick to send Airdrie through in a shoot-out. Morton’s visit to Monklands just before Christmas was a dull affair as Morton, again depleted thanks to the suspension of George Oakley following his red card against Queen’s Park the previous week, held out for a goalless draw. While it wasn’t pretty, there were few in the Morton support who were terribly upset on an afternoon that the visitors very much gained a point rather than dropped two. The most recent meeting of the sides six weeks ago was a much more eventful afternoon. A bad-tempered affair burst into life after only four minutes as Airdrie defender Aaron Taylor-Sinclair clattered into Robbie Crawford after only four minutes, leaving the Morton midfielder requiring treatment, with the Airdrie defender receiving only a yellow card from hapless referee Euan Anderson. When the actual football took centre stage, Morton took the lead thanks to a fine breakaway goal, as Oakley nodded home at the far post from a fine Jai Quitongo cross, and Michael Garrity added a second with a fantastic volley from what looked a suspiciously offside position on first viewing. With Morton comfortably in front, their season took a turn for the worse, as Taylor-Sinclair, lucky to be on the park in the view of this completely unbiased observer, landed a dull one on Oakley, ruling Morton’s talisman out for around a month, which coincided with a disappointing dip in form. A late goal from Airdrie assistant boss Callum Fordyce reduced the arrears, but Morton held on for the win, albeit at a cost. Photo - GBR Photographs. Opposition Analysis Since that defeat at Cappielow, things have looked up for Airdrie, although it would be fair to say that like most of us, they’ve lacked consistency. They bounced back immediately from that defeat by inflicting a shock, but convincing defeat on Dundee United, and a less surprising one on a still toiling Dunfermline at East End Park. There have however been dropped points against Inverness and most recently Ayr in last weekend’s televised defeat at Somerset Park, with Airdrie surrendering a first half lead to fall to the Honest Men. They have of course enjoyed two recent victories over League One-bound Arbroath, and a fine SPFL Trust Trophy success over Welsh Champions The New Saints, delivering Rhys McCabe’s first trophy of his impressive Airdrie reign. With Airdrie going into the match two points clear of Morton following Tuesday’s Gayfield success, and both teams playing their games in hand on the rest in midweek, Saturday’s match will likely have a big impact on where each team finishes in the table. I asked Airdrie fan Emma Quigley (@emmaq1983) her thoughts going into the match: “We’ve had a great run of form since Airdrie and Morton last met at Cappielow in what was another competitive game, despite our bad start. I don’t expect this game to be any different, and like most Championship matches, it’s extremely difficult to call. We don’t have the same defensive woes we had last time around, so I don’t expect a repeat of the first 5-10 minutes at Cappielow, which secured the points for Morton. We’ve had a heavy run of away fixtures in March with games in hand being played and one still outstanding, but we’ve picked up wins on the road at Dundee United, Dunfermline and Arbroath and drawn with Inverness and Queen’s Park- not forgetting lifting the SPFL Trust Trophy against The New Saints. The only real bump on the road was another loss to Ayr, this season’s bogey team. Injury wise, we still have midfielders Murray Aiken and Luke McStravick, and first choice keeper Josh Rae out long-term, but we saw the return of Lewis McGregor and Gabby McGill at Gayfield in midweek. We also rested a couple of key players, with the younger loanees doing well in tricky conditions. As for the result? As I said, I expect another tight affair with only a goal or two in it- our home from has been good, so I’m going for a 1-0 or 2-1 Diamonds victory.” What’s Happening Elsewhere? With no televised Friday night game, there’s a full Saturday afternoon card, with two of the other games having a particular impact on Morton. I’m afraid we’ll have to swallow a bit of pride and hope for Partick to collect three points against fifth placed Dunfermline, allowing Morton to climb into the play-offs with a win. Likewise, we’ll have to wish big-spending Raith Rovers against Ayr United in order that the Honest Men are kept at arm’s length. Dundee United, who came out of last weekend’s encounter with the moneybags Fifers in last week’s top-of-the-table clash unscathed despite the efforts of a thuggish element of Raith’s support, visit Hampden to face a Queen’s Park side who will still have lingering worries about facing a relegation play-off after their defeat at Cappielow last weekend. Queens’ concerns about the drop will be exacerbated if Inverness manage to register three points against bottom-of-the-pile Arbroath. A victory for the Highlanders would effectively relegate the Red Lichties, leaving a twelve-point gap with only four games remaining and a goal difference of at least 36 goals in Inverness’s favour. Photo - GBR Photographs. Betting Guide All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 4th April 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. Morton are surprisingly favourites going into the match at 11/8, with Airdrie priced at 7/4 and the draw at 9/4. Morton to score in both halves is 13/5, and Jai Quitongo to score anytime against his favourite other club is 9/4. Match Officials Referee- Don Robertson is in the middle of his second Morton match of the season, having ran the rule over the 1-2 League Cup Group Stage defeat by Ross County at Victoria Park back in July. AR 1- Steven Traynor AR 2- Ian Hart