Partick vs Morton – Match Preview  

by Dean McKinnon 

The Ton head up the M8 on Saturday afternoon hoping a second away win of the campaign can lift Dougie Imrie’s men out of the relegation zone for the first time since Matchday 5. Back-to-back home defeats to Raith and Dunfermline have lowered the mood around Cappielow, with the Sinclair Street faithful looking for Dougie Imrie and his players to gain a positive result before the two-week Championship hiatus, as attentions turn to the national team, the SPFL Trust Trophy and the Scottish Cup. 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Squad News 

After three matches in seven days, the away support will hope that the squad have managed to rid themselves of their battle wounds. With the change of shape midway through the last two encounters, Imrie may opt to return to a back four in an attempt to arrest his side’s poor defensive record.  

Darragh O’Connor’s long-term injury worsens the defensive frailties in this season’s squad. Jai Quitongo’s lengthy spell on the sidelines may be coming to an end, but the likelihood of the attacker appearing on Saturday still appear slim.  

Current Connections 

Robbie Muirhead, Jai Quitongo and Robbie Crawford have all had fleeting spells in Maryhill. Robbie Muirhead joined on loan from fellow Premiership side Dundee United in the 2015/16 campaign, scoring twice in a 5-2 win against his former side Kilmarnock before returning to Tayside after only eight appearances for The Jags. Quitongo made the short move up the M8 to join Partick after deciding to leave Morton at the end of the 2017/18 campaign. The explosive forward scored once in thirteen appearances in Maryhill before accepting a move to Iran. Robbie Crawford was a bit-part player for Partick in 2021/22. Following his release from Motherwell, he would turn out for the Glasgow side sixteen times before making the move to the Tail o’ the Bank.  

Skipper Brian Graham started his career at Morton. After clashing with manager Alan Moore over Graham’s fitness levels, he opted for pastures new, signing for Raith Rovers ahead of the 2011/12 season. He would join Partick in 2020, scoring 47 goals in 100 appearances to date. In a current connections section focused on short spells, Partick manager Kris Doolan takes the gold medal, spending a whole 12 minutes representing The Ton under David Hopkin.  

Tale of the Tape  

Morton hosted Partick on 2nd September in what turned out to be a nightmare for The Ton. Robbie Muirhead netted once again against his former side in the 15th minute with a world class free kick before Steven Lawless took advantage of lacklustre defending to level the clash at the interval.  

Former Morton man Brian Graham netted two near-identical goals at the back post within ninety seconds of each other before Harry Milne was given a second booking for a challenge on Robbie Crawford. Tomi Adeloye rounded out a frustratingly comfortable afternoon for the visitors in the late stages, being allowed far too much room to work the ball onto his left foot before blasting past Jamie MacDonald.  

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Opposition Analysis  

Kris Doolan’s men appear to be finding their feet in this Championship campaign. Despite a couple of dodgy home results in September, losing 3-2 in the SPFL Trust Trophy to Queen of the South and being rolled over 3-0 by Arbroath in the Championship, the Glasgow side appear to have steadied the ship. Despite champions-elect Dundee United hitting them for five at Firhill a few weeks ago; a comfortable 3-0 win over Dunfermline, a stalemate in the Highlands against Inverness, draws with Queens Park and Ayr and a 3-1 win against Arbroath in Angus mean that The Jags sit comfortably in third place in the table.  

Partick’s ability to find the net appears to be the main reason for their success so far this term, with their twenty-four goal haul this term a feat only bested by table topping Dundee United. Their rich goalscoring form has masked their defensive frailties this season, with their rearguard being breached on nineteen occasions.  

Betting Guide 

The hosts head into this as favourites, listed as 8/11 to earn all three points. The draw is priced at 14/5, with Dougie Imrie‘s men 3/1 to claim back-to-back away wins.  

Looking at player odds, Sinclair Street’s top goalscorer Robbie Muirhead is 5/2 to score anytime, with a goal against his former club always being received well by the Partick fans. 7/2 is your reward if you fancy his namesake Robbie Crawford to net against his old side. There is an unfortunate sense of inevitability concerning a Brian Graham goal against Morton, with the prospect of Evs perhaps cushioning the blow.  

What’s Happening Elsewhere? 

Dundee United travel to Fife to face Dunfermline in front of the BBC Scotland cameras tomorrow night as The Tangerines look to continue their unbeaten Championship run. Championship newcomers Airdrieonians host Arbroath with both teams looking to build a healthy cushion away from the relegation zone. Ayr head up the A9 to face Inverness as both sides look to kick start their campaigns, and Queens Park host Raith Rovers at the national stadium, with the Fifers looking for a win to cement their grip on second place.  

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Match Officials 

Referee - Alan Muir 

AR1 - Gordon Crawford 

AR2 - Scott Bunting