Morton v Inverness Caledonian Thistle – Match Preview
by Russell Gordon

Morton have the opportunity to improve upon what has been a horrendous home league record thus far with the visit of fellow strugglers Inverness Caledonian Thistle to Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology this weekend.
 
With only goal difference separating the two sides at the foot of the table, this is the perfect opportunity for Dougie Imrie’s charges to show that they have no intention of being involved in a relegation dogfight as the season progresses.
 
Tickets are available from Fanbase at the link below:

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Photo - GBR Photographs.

 
Squad News

Imrie is still contending with an extensive injury list, but will see the return of Tyler French to his backline after the defender was cup-tied for last weekend’s SPFL Trust Trophy victory over League One Kelty Hearts.
 
Rangers loanee Jack Harkness however, will sit out after undergoing an operation in the week and will be joined on the sidelines by long term casualties Jai Quitongo and Darragh O’Connor.
 
Kirk Broadfoot returned to the squad in the absence of French last weekend, and many Morton fans will be looking be watching with interest to see how Imrie’s defence lines up, with Iain Wilson putting in a credible performance at right back, whilst French was comfortable in the centre of the ‘Ton defence against Queen’s Park. Broadfoot has of course been a favourite of the Morton boss this season, but with one goal conceded in the two games he sat out, there’s a direct correlation between the veteran’s absence and Morton’s improved defensive record.
 
Jamie MacDonald will likely return between the sticks after Ryan Mullen deputised for the cup tie, and Imrie may consider his midfield options, as the Just One Cornetto panellists discussed this week, with Gillespie and Alan Power often struggling when fielded together, and the role of last weekend’s hat trick hero Robbie Muirhead when playing in the same side as George Oakley also proving a contentious issue.
 
Current Connections

There are no former Morton players in the Inverness squad, although Wallace Duffy did briefly join up on loan from St. Johnstone under David Hopkin; his contract ripped up to allow him to sign a permanent deal at Inverness, before making an appearance for Morton.
 
In the Cappielow squad, there are a trio of former Inverness players in the form of Steven Boyd, Kirk Broadfoot and George Oakley. Broadfoot enjoyed a season in the Highlands, reaching the play-off final before missing out on promotion to St. Johnstone in that final and signing for Lowland League circus act Open Goal Broomhill, before returning to the Championship this summer.
 
Boyd and Oakley both signed up at the Caledonian Stadium last summer, Oakley joining up at Cappielow in January after an unhappy time up north under Billy Dodds, whilst Boyd signed up at Cappielow for this season.
 
Morton boss Dougie Imrie had a two-year spell at the Caledonian Stadium between 2008 and 2010, before moving to St. Mirren and subsequently Morton and Hamilton.
 
Tale of the Tape

Morton had the better of last season’s encounters, bagging their first away win of the campaign thanks to a late Grant Gillespie penalty in Inverness before an injury hit Thistle side visited Cappielow last October for a Friday night TV game in which they were blown away by a ruthless Morton team thanks to first half goals from Muirhead and Gillespie, and a David Carson own goal. A wonderful Cammy Blues strike put a bit of gloss on a fine performance in the second period and a Billy Dodds meltdown put the cherry on the cake.
 
We did however have to settle for a point on our second visit to the Highlands, leading twice through Calvin Miller and Robbie Muirhead and relinquishing those leads on both occasions.
 
Inverness notched up three points themselves in the final meeting of the season at Cappielow, having taken the lead early in the second half through a fine Scott Allardice strike. Gillespie equalised from the spot and a late Robbie Muirhead free kick crashed off the bar before David Carson made this particular visit to Cappielow a personally more memorable one by notching a last-minute winner for the visitors.

Photo - GBR Photographs.

 
Opposition Analysis 

Given their often unrealistic expectations for their club, there won’t be many Inverness fans who would argue that they haven’t endured a torrid start to the season. Having been given the golden ticket back into last season’s Scottish Cup after getting knocked out by Queen’s Park, they took full advantage, getting all the way to the final before being swatted aside by Celtic, but at least arrested some of the massive losses that have beset their club in recent years.
 
However, there wasn’t enough credit in the bank for manager Billy Dodds, who was relieved of his duties having failed to get through their Viaplay Cup Group and taken a solitary point from their first five league games. After a subsequent late defeat to Dundee United, the Highlanders made a high-profile appointment in former Everton, Newcastle and Scotland striker, and former Forest Green Rovers boss, Duncan Ferguson.
 
Since taking up his place in the Caledonian Stadium hot seat, they’ve seen an upturn in form that has had the unfortunate consequence of seeing Morton drop to the foot of the table. A 3-2 victory over Arbroath at Gayfield was followed up by a 0-0 home draw with Partick, and he’s made his first move in the transfer market this weekend, bringing in Canadian international, and former St. Johnstone midfielder David Wotherspoon, a free agent since his close season departure from the Perth side.
 
What’s Happening Elsewhere?

The BBC cameras make a Friday night visit to Airdrie for the visit of Queen’s Park, a game that we’d probably be happy to see anything other than an away win.
 
On Saturday, Arbroath host big-spending Raith Rovers, while Raith’s Fife cousins Dunfermline take on another struggling side in Ayr United.
 
In the division’s match of the day, league leaders Dundee United travel to Firhill to take on Partick, who will hope to get within a point of the Terrors. Hopefully they don’t.

Photo - GBR Photographs.

 
Betting Guide 

All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7am on 19th October 2023 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. 
 
Morton go into the match as favourites to collect full points at 23/20, with Thistle priced at 2/1 and the draw a 12/5.
 
Being optimistic, Morton to win without conceding is 14/5 and Geroge Oakley to net the first goal against his former side is 15/2.
 
Match Officials 

Referee- Lloyd Wilson
AR 1-  David Roome
AR 2- Craig Macrae