Arbroath vs Morton – Match Preview  

by Dean McKinnon 

Our heroes head north tomorrow as The Ton look to drag themselves out of the dropzone. Dougie Imrie’s men have had plenty of time to prepare for this encounter, with last week’s clash with table topping Dundee United falling foul of sub-zero temperatures. With several crucial fixtures being played in December, breaking the thirteen-match winless run against Arbroath would be the best possible start. 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Squad News  

The silver lining of the Dundee United match is the prospect of Darragh O’Connor and Jai Quitongo being further along the road to recovery. Calum Waters’ spell on the sidelines looks set to continue, with the expectation that makeshift left back Iain Wilson will continue to deputise in his absence.  

Current Connections 

Goalkeeper Derek Gaston is the sole link between the clubs. Gaston joined Allan Moore's Morton side from Albion Rovers, spending seven seasons in Greenock and picking up a League One medal, before being released at the end of the 2018/19 campaign. The now 37-year-old joined Arbroath and is now into his fifth season with the Angus club.   

Tale of the Tape  

I’ll be blunt - it makes for grim reading. Morton are currently without a win in their last thirteen attempts against our Angus counterparts. Despite their poor start to the season, Arbroath steamrolled Dougie Imrie’s side 3-0 in their previous meeting this season. The visitors lead at the break thanks to a Michael McKenna penalty before Iain Wilson guided the ball into his own net in the 73rd minute to double Arbroath’s lead, who rounded the result off with a stoppage time goal from Joao Balde.  

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Opposition Analysis  

Tomorrow’s hosts are struggling almost as much as us. They are currently on a run of five successive Championship defeats, however it was the Scottish Cup that proved to be the final straw for their long-serving manager Dick Campbell. Following a shock defeat to Spartans, Campbell and his entire backroom staff decided to leave, being replaced this week by Jim McIntyre.  

Ahead of the match I spoke to sports journalist and former Arbroath FC commentator Ewan Smith (@ewansmithpr), who spoke up the significance of his sides unbeaten run against The Ton - “Every time Arbroath face Morton, it’s unavoidable to mention the incredible record we have against them. At the moment it stands at 13 games unbeaten. If we extend that to 14 on Saturday then that will ensure it will be four full calendar years without defeat to Morton by the time the sides meet again on January 27th at Cappielow. 
 
I’d love that run to continue forever but I’m realistic to know that all good things come to an end at some point. Will that be on Saturday? After a run of six straight losses, it would he foolish not to be more than a bit concerned that it could. But Morton have also lost four from five - if you include the SPFL Trust Trophy penalty kicks defeat. That means it’s hardly likely to be a classic. 

The joker card for Arbroath is the potential for a new manager bounce. Dick Campbell will be a really tough act to follow as he brought incredible success to Arbroath over the last seven years. And this will be the first chance to see what an Arbroath side can do post-Campbell with Jim McIntyre in charge. 
I spoke to Jim as he was appointed earlier this week and he’s hungry and determined to make an early impact at Arbroath. He has also had periods of real success in his 16-year coaching career. But will he make an instant impact? To do so he’ll have to cope without the talismanic figure of Michael McKenna. 
McKenna, so often the scourge of Morton, is likely to be sidelined for a considerable period of time after he was taken off injured in the final moments of last midweek’s loss to Dunfermline. That will he a big relief to Morton fans who have seen McKenna run them ragged on more than one occasion. Equally, Arbroath will miss his drive and energy from midfield and lose a vital member from their already depleted squad. 
 
But this Arbroath team are considerably better than recent results show. There is talent and experience laced through the squad and they showed that the last time they faced Morton and ran away comfortable 3-0 winners in August. I think it will be a lot tighter this time but still feel McIntyre will get enough out of his side to net a 2-1 win for Arbroath.” 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Betting Guide  

All odds are provided by McBookie. Odds are correct as of 7am on 8th December 2023 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.  

The bookies can’t split the teams heading into this basement clash, with both sides pegged at 6/4 to win, with 23/10 your reward if you back the draw. Robbie Muirhead to bag the first goal of the contest is 15/2, and penalty taker and club captain Grant Gillespie is 3/1 to score at anytime.  

What’s Happening Elsewhere?  

Raith Rovers host Partick on Friday night in front of the BBC Scotland cameras as the Fife side look to continue to pressure league leaders Dundee United. Airdrieonians and Dunfermline square off in Lanarkshire as both side look to tighten their grips on a playoff place. Ayr travel to the City of Discovery hoping to topple Dundee United, and in the match that could have the most relevance to our fixture, Queens Park host Inverness.  

Match Officials  

Referee - Lloyd Wilson 

AR1 - David Roome 

AR2 - Craig Macrae