Queen of the South vs Morton – Match Preview

by Dean McKinnon.

Familiar foes Morton and Queen of the South will battle it out for a place in the final four of this season’s SPFL Trust Trophy tonight at Palmerston, with an away tie against League One Cove Rangers awaiting the victors. Gus MacPherson’s side performed well at the Caledonian Stadium on Saturday, with a Gavin Reilly goal securing a Scottish Cup replay at Cappielow next midweek. The Cappielow gaffer will hope his tweaked system can bring the Sinclair Street side’s first win against Queen of the South this term.

Squad Update

Brian McLean’s spell on the sideline looks set to continue as the veteran continues his rehabilitation following an injury sustained at East End Park. Morton will again be without a second choice goalkeeper following Chris Wylie’s request to leave the club.

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Current Connections

Nobody in the current Queens ranks has played their football in Greenock, however Queens manager Allan Johnson played under Gus MacPherson for a season during his tenure as St Mirren boss.

Loanee striker Gavin Reilly came through the youth ranks at Palmerston, spending five seasons in their first team. Signing his first professional contract ahead of the 2010/11 season, he made his first team debut in July 2010 in a League Cup match against Dumbarton, scoring a debut goal in a 5-1 win. He spent five seasons in the first team set up at Palmerston, making 111 league appearances and scoring 39 goals before moving to Hearts.

Morton’s managerial team, Gus MacPherson and Andy Millen, spent a season in the Dumfries dugout in 2011/12. Their squad featured familiar faces such as Lee Robinson, Alan Reid, Ryan McGuffie, Craig Reid and Scott McLaughlin. They finished bottom of the table and were relegated to the Second Division, with MacPherson and Millen being sacked at the end of the campaign with a win ratio of only 23.81%.

Players moving between the two clubs has been very common in recent years. Gary Oliver has alternated between Dumfries and Greenock from 2015 to the present day, having two spells with both clubs. Kyle Jacobs had a four-season stint at Queens between 2015-2019. Michael Ledger joined Morton last summer following his release from the Doonhamers.

Tale of the Tape

Morton squared off against Queens on Matchday Ten in Dumfries. Both sides struck the woodwork in the first half, as Willie Gibson hit a post from a free-kick and Robbie Muirhead clipped the bar. Lee Connolly forced Jack Hamilton into a fine stop after the break, with a long range strike from Willie Gibson almost catching out the Morton shotstopper. The stalemate left the home side 7^th and the home side in 9^th place in the Championship.

Queen of the South visited Cappielow on Matchday Three this season, with The Ton looking to follow up on an impressive away win at New Douglas Park the previous week. Willie Gibson received the ball on the right hand side and sailed past Darren Hynes, with Kyle Jacobs’ recovery tackle fouling the experienced midfielder. Ally Roy’s initial effort was saved by Jack Hamilton, however the penalty taker tucked home the rebound to give the away side the lead.

Club captain Jacobs made amends later in the first half, restoring parity for his side. A Reece Lyon corner was met at the near post by Jacobs, who guided a header past Soloman Brynn in the Wee Dublin End goal. Jacobs again was at the heart of the action, this time for all the wrong reasons, as he got the final touch on a Queens attack to give his former club a 2-1 lead. A thumping finish from Ruben Soares Junior looked to have wrapped up the points for the Dumfries side. Alan Lithgow’s effort, that cannoned off of Soloman Brynn on its way into the net, ensured a dramatic climax to the match, but the away side held firm to claim all three points and inflict the first league defeat of the season on Gus MacPherson’s side.

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Opposition Analysis

I spoke to QoSTV commentator Finlay Jack (@Finlay_Jack5) ahead of Wednesday’s match, who spoke of the opportunity for the winner of this tie to challenge for the tournament – “It’s felt like we’ve play Morton every other week over the past couple years in truth but I’m really looking forward to this one. The Challenge Cup offers a really great opportunity to get your hands on some silverware if you are a Queens or a Morton or a side that isn’t likely of to be up at the top of the league.

We have a reasonably big squad by our standards but have a worrying lack of options at the back with various players injured. Udoka Chima will miss out with a thigh injury, Josh Debayo missed the Cove game with a back issue and Roberto Nditi saw a straight red against Cove, though I’m unsure whether that suspends him for the quarter-final. Euan East has switched from wing to centre-back this season and been good, however picked up an injury before the Inverness game so might also be out. Expect to see Wullie Gibson in at centre-back next to Paul McKay if the aforementioned players don’t make it, though I’m hopefully at least one will. We’re also without Ben Liddle, Aidan Fitzpatrick (both injured) and Innes Cameron (cup-tied) so we’re down to the bare bones a bit.

Nonetheless I’m hopeful of a win. From what I’ve saw of Morton this season they really aren’t up to much - although I’ve no doubt Ton fans will be saying the same about us! Don’t think it’ll be a classic on Wednesday, but I’ll opt for 2-1 Queens. Ruari Paton will score.”

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Betting Guide

All odds are provided by McBookie. Odds are correct at 6.30am on 30^th November 2021 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.

The home side go into the tie as slight favourites, priced at 5/4 to progress to the Semis. Queens to win and BTTS prices at 7/2, with the home side chalked at 3/1 to win without reply. If you fancy a comfortable home win you can back Queens on a -1 handicap at 15/4.

The match heading to extra time prices at 23/10, with a goalless 90 minutes priced at 9/1. 15/8 is your reward if you fancy Morton to progress in 90 minutes. Morton to win and BTTS is 9/2, with the away side valued at 4/1 to win without Jack Hamilton conceding. Morton to win on a -1 handicap is priced at 11/2.

Match Officials

Referee – Alan Newlands

AR1 – Daniel McFarlane

AR2 – Craig Ferguson

Fourth Official – Steven Reid