Morton v Airdrieonians – Match Preview  

by Russell Gordon. 

With the focus across Europe moving from the club game to internationals whilst the lesser nations who are yet to confirm their places in Germany next summer strive to do so, or at least scrape their way into a play-off spot with the other also rans, here in Scotland we can sit back, relax and focus on the real business- the SPFL Trust Trophy Quarter Finals. 

The only all-Championship tie of the round takes place at Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology, as Airdrieonians get the pleasure of making their third visit of the season to civilisation. 

With season tickets not being valid for the match, tickets are available from Fanbase at the link below: 

Fanbase | Dashboard (fanbaseclub.com) 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Squad News 

It’s been difficult keeping up with Morton’s injury troubles week-by-week, with new casualties seemingly added to the list after every game. 

Jai Quitongo appears to be getting closer to full fitness, but I’d expect he’ll still be unlikely to make an appearance against the Diamonds. Likewise, Darragh O’Connor will still be unavailable. 

Calum Waters is another long-term absentee, having recently been admitted to the already busy treatment room at Cappielow, along with Robbie Muirhead and Alan Power.  

Ryan Mullen has appeared in Morton’s previous two SPFL Trust Trophy ties, but whilst he was on the bench last week, his fitness, has also been called into question, and he could also miss out. 

To add to Dougie Imrie’s selection woes, Tyler French will also sit out having played for Dundee’s B team earlier in the competition, while Steven Boyd is suspended after bookings against Elgin & Kelty Hearts in earlier rounds.

Current Connections 

Unfortunately, Airdrie’s matchwinner on their last visit to face Morton at Cappielow needs no introduction- ex-Morton youngster Lewis McGregor stuck the only goal of the game to take the points to Monklands, much to the delight of some of his family who appeared to feel he was unjustly treated during his time on the Tail o’ the Bank. 

Charlie Telfer had a more profitable spell in Greenock than McGregor, spending 2018-19 season with Morton and scoring the second goal in a memorable win in Grangemouth that ultimately saw him playing League One football the following season as he moved onto Falkirk. Airdrie reserve keeper David Hutton spent a season at Cappielow in 2012-23 as understudy to Derek Gaston. 

Airdrie’s Hibernian loanee Josh O’Connor’s dad Garry had an inglorious spell at Morton in 2014 as we slipped into League One in disgrace, whilst Jai Quitongo enjoys an uneasy relationship with the Diamonds, after his brother Rico’s unhappy spell in Airdrie ended in controversy over allegations as to how he was treated by the club and their fans. 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Tale of the Tape 

With Airdrie only recently having joined Morton in the Championship, and their recent win at Cappielow being fresh in the memory, I’ll look at how the clubs have fared when meeting in cup competitions in fairly recent memory.  

Since the original Airdrie’s liquidation in 2002, this is the fourth time the clubs have been drawn together in cup competitions, with Morton holding the upper hand, and every tie having been drawn at Cappielow. The first cup tie between the clubs was a Challenge Cup Second Round match in 2003, a matter of days after Airdrie’s controversial defeat at the same venue on the league season’s opening day. 

Airdrie were to win 2-1 to this occasion, thanks to goals from Jerome Veraille and Mark Roberts cancelling out John Maisano’s opener, before going onto the final where they lost 0-2 to Inverness. I won’t talk about how the league campaign went! 

The next cup meeting wasn’t until January 2011 when Second Division Airdrie visited for a Scottish Cup fourth round tie and looked to be on the verge of causing a minor upset against their First Division opponents thanks to goals from Gary Mackay-Steven and ex-Morton winger Jamie Stevenson, before Brian Graham and Stewart Kean scored to force a replay at New Broomfield. 

Morton made no mistake in the replay, with goals from David O’Brien, an Allan Jenkins double, Graham again and a Carlo Monti penalty easing the ‘Ton through with a 5-2 scoreline that flattered their opponents in truth. 

The last cup meeting was again in the Scottish Cup, this time in 2014. After a turgid 0-0 draw that saw Joe McKee sent off at Cappielow, Morton travelled to Airdrie ten days later and an Andy Barrowman double took Morton through to a fourth round tie at Spartans. Less said about that the better. 

Opposition Analysis  

Since their win at Cappielow in September, Airdrie have had a tricky time of it, drawing twice and losing three times in the league before last weekend’s win over Arbroath pushed them into the final play-off place, a full nine points ahead of a Morton side that’s rooted to the bottom of the table. 

While the defeat to Ayr and draw with Queen’s Park would have disappointed the Diamonds’ faithful and the defeat to a resurgent Inverness was perhaps not ideal, a home defeat by title favourites Dundee United was perhaps expected and a draw at Stark’s Park an excellent return against big-spending Raith Rovers. 

Airdrie’s cup campaign thus far has seen a 3-2 win at Stirling University and a 4-2 success against Rangers B at Cappielow, with manager Rhys McCabe’s terrific free kick providing the highlight of that particular match. 

Hopefully our visitors don’t enjoy their third visit of the season to Greenock as much as they did their previous two. 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

What’s Happening Elsewhere? 

Two quarter finals take place on Friday night, with Championship favourites Dundee United visiting League One minnows Falkirk for the live TV fixture on BBC ALBA, whilst New Douglas Park sees a re-run of last year’s final, as United and Falkirk’s respective nearest challengers, big spending Raith Rovers and hosts Hamilton meet. 

Arbroath get the plum draw with a trip to Shropshire to visit Welsh Champions (who aren’t actually Welsh) The New Saints. 

With both Dunfermline and Inverness already out of the competition, their league match that was due to be played on 31st October is re-arranged for this weekend. Quite a convenient arrangement as it allowed Dunfermline to put their feet up while Morton faced big-spending Raith Rovers a matter of days before the Pars’ Cappielow visit the other week. 

There’s a party at Hampden on Sunday as already qualified Scotland host a Norway side who can’t qualify automatically and will be keeping their fingers crossed that they can secure a play-off place by hook or by crook. 

Betting Guide  

All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7am on 17th November 2023 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.  

Airdrie are slight favourites heading into the match at 7/5, with Morton priced at 13/8 and the draw at 12/5. 

Match Officials  

Referee- Ross Hardie 

AR 1-  John McCrossan 

AR 2- Colin Drummond