Morton vs Elgin City – Match Preview 

by Dean McKinnon 

Morton take a break from Championship duty this weekend, welcoming Elgin City to Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology in the Third Round of the SPFL Trust Trophy. Dougie Imrie will hope that the visit of Barry Smith’s men can allow the Cappielow side to secure a morale boosting win ahead of the trip to Tannadice in The Ton’s next Championship outing. This trophy is the most winnable of the four competitions Morton enter this season, and it would most certainly be a welcome addition to the boardroom at Cappielow. 

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Photo - GBR Photographs.

Squad News 

I’d expect Dougie Imrie’s walking wounded squad to be as rotated as much as possible for the visit of the Black and Whites. Ryan Mullen could be set to make his first appearance since veteran goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald arrived on the Tail o’ the Bank. Iain Wilson and Alan Power may be deployed as both men attempt to gain match fitness after interrupted pre-seasons.  

The Ton faithful will be hoping that goalscoring midfielder Robbie Crawford can play his part in the tie after being withdrawn early in last week’s humbling defeat by Partick. Fringe players like Alex King, Lewis McGrattan and Jack Bearne could all be set to start against the League Two side. 

Current Connections  

Elgin City manager Barry Smith spent a brief spell at Cappielow, joining on loan from Icelandic side Valur. He made five appearances before requiring an operation that would sideline him for the rest of his stay on Sinclair Street.  

The most notable link between the clubs is former defender Lewis Strapp. Having made two senior appearances for Morton the previous season, then manager Jim Duffy sent the promising youngster on loan to League Two Elgin in 2016/17, where he made thirteen appearances, scoring once.  

Rabin Omar joined Morton from the Highland side ahead of the 2020/21 season. The versatile Omar spent two seasons at Elgin City before joining David Hopkin at Cappielow, making eleven appearances before leaving the club by mutual consent. 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Tale of the Tape  

This will be the first meeting between the two sides since August 2015, where The Ton ran out comfortable 5-0 winners in the League Cup. Goals from Stefan McCluskey, Denny Johnstone, a double from Jon Scullion and a Ross Forbes penalty settled the tie. The last time the sides shared a division was on Morton’s brief stop off in the fourth-tier in 2002/03, with our favourites claiming ten points out of twelve available over the course of the season, with a stalemate in the Highlands the only point gained by Elgin against the eventual champions. 

Opposition Analysis  

The Black and Whites look to be in for a long, tough season ahead. Elgin find themselves in a somewhat unusual situation, with former Inverness and Ross County player Ross Draper stepping down as player/manager, being replaced by Barry Smith in the dugout, however Draper remains a registered player for the club. Following a heavy 5-1 defeat in the hands of Bonnyrigg Rose last week, Barry Smith’s men sit second bottom of League Two. With nine goals conceded in their five winless league matches so far this term, they have conceded more goals than any other side in the division.  

The Highlanders have only won once in ninety minutes in all competitions this season, besting St Johnstone ‘B’ in the First Round of this tournament, before edging past Ray McKinnon’s Forfar on penalties in the Second Round. A terrible shame for the former Morton gaffer.  

Photo - GBR Photographs.

No match odds are currently available. 

Match Officials  

Referee - Ross Hardie 

AR1 - Gordon Crawford 

AR2 - Craig Macrae