Hamilton vs Morton – Match Preview

by Dean McKinnon.

Dougie Imrie’s Morton side will visit the gaffer’s old stomping ground on Saturday as The Ton look to stretch their unbeaten record under their new gaffer to seven matches. The Championship’s form side have shot up the table under the tutelage of former Accies player Imrie, as the Sinclair Street side look to distance themselves from the bottom end of the Championship. Following last week’s pulsating 2-1 victory against Queen of the South, Imrie’s Morton side will look to open up some breathing space between themselves and the rest of the bottom half of the league.

Squad Update

Following his half-time substitution on Saturday after picking up a knock, veteran defender Brian McLean should be the only injury concern for Dougie Imrie’s trip to his old stomping ground.

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Current Connections

The last time we faced off against Accies, I trawled out former player Dougie Imrie as the most memorable, if slightly tenuous, link between the clubs. Oh how times have changed! The newly appointed Morton gaffer spent two spells at Hamilton across his career. Imrie joined Accies 1st February 2010 from Inverness Caledonian Thistle for a fee of £25,000, debuting five days later in a Lanarkshire Derby against Motherwell. Two years later, again during the January window, Imrie moved to Paisley as St Mirren looked to stave off relegation, with a fee of £35,000 required to facilitate the transfer.

Tale of the Tape

A 98^th minute defensive error prevented Hamilton from departing Cappielow with all three points on Matchday Twelve. Lewis Smith put the away side ahead on the 39^th minute, collecting a pass from Kieran McDonald on the left of midfield, and smashing his effort into the top corner. Hamilton, who felt the wrath of the home support as they attempted to run down the clock, came undone in the eighth minute of stopped time. Jaakko Oksanen floated a free kick into the penalty box, with Accies goalkeeper Reegan Mimnaugh fumbling the ball before it landed in the Sinclair Street net to secure a late point for the hosts.

Morton recorded their first league victory of the campaign at New Douglas Park on Matchday Two. Hamilton started the brighter of the two sides but struggled to test goalkeeper Jack Hamilton. With the first half winding down, Cammy Blues received the ball in midfield and sprayed a well-executed half volley pass into the right-hand channel for Gozie Ugwu to chase. The powerful forward raced towards the Hamilton penalty area before firing an angled drive into the far corner of Ryan Fulton’s net to settle the match.

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Opposition Analysis

Despite their comprehensive win in Dumfries on the 2^nd January, Hamilton have struggled of late to turn draws into wins. Last season’s Premiership basement side have tied with Partick, Ayr, Raith and Arbroath, alongside a 1-0 away defeat to Dunfermline, in their last five matches. The Lanarkshire side, who have conceded 40 goals so far this term, haven’t won at home since a 1-0 victory over Dunfermline on 4^th December last year.

Betting Guide

All match odds are provided by McBookie. Odds are correct as of 6pm on 16^th February 2022 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.

The hosts are even money to claim their first win in six outings, with the draw priced at 9/4. Dougie Imrie’s side head into this match priced at 12/5 to leave Lanarkshire with all three points, with 3/4 your reward if you fancy hedging your bets on The Ton to avoid defeat using the double chance market. If you fancy Morton to repeat their previous 1-0 scoreline at New Douglas Park, you can back this at 8/1. 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Match Officials

Referee - Andrew Dallas.

AR1 - Colin McAlpine.

AR2 - George King.