Morton v Arbroath – Match Preview  

by Russell Gordon 

Having recently disposed Montrose in the fourth round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, Morton welcome the Gable Endies’ local rivals Arbroath to Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology this weekend as they return to league business and look to push towards a place in the promotion play-offs. 

Having frustratingly dropped points in their previous outing against Partick, Dougie Imrie’s side will be looking for maximum points in a fixture that has proved notoriously tough in recent years. 

Match tickets are available at the below link: 

Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com) 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Squad News 

The only real injury concern appears to be over vice-captain Jack Baird, who again sat out the cup tie against Montrose. With Dougie Imrie having a general rule of keeping his cards close to his chest when discussing injuries and player availability, it’s unclear as to when the commanding centre back will likely return. 

One man who should come back into the team is Tyler French, who was left out of the Montrose match. While Dundee have confirmed that French will remain at Morton until the season’s conclusion, his omission was likely in the event of them having to recall him before the month’s end in the event of an injury at Dens. Providing that doesn’t happen at this late stage will of course be available for the next round of the Scottish Cup, as the transfer window will be closed, and Dundee have already exited the competition. 

With Imrie making a couple of changes last week, I’d expect Lewis Strapp to return to the starting line-up in the place of Calum Waters, while the Morton boss could have his usual dilemma between Grant Gillespie and Alan Power. Michael Garrity and Lewis McGrattan will also be eying Jai Quitongo’s jersey, with the winger not quite up to speed after his lengthy lay-off. 

Current Connections 

There’s only one player in either squad who has represented their opponents. Unfortunately though, the popular Arbroath custodian has missed their last two games and is likely to miss the trip to Cappielow. 

Now in his fifth season at Gayfield, he’s made the number one jersey his own in his time on the east coast, having previously served Morton with distinction for seven seasons, playing a vital role in winning the 2015 League One title and returning the club to the Championship at the first attempt. 

Tale of the Tape 

FINALLY! After thirteen unsuccessful attempts, the Morton fans could finally leave a fixture against the Red Lichties with a smile on their faces when the clubs met on December 9th. 

It looked as though David Gold’s second half equaliser would give the hosts a share of the spoils against then bottom-of-the-league Morton, following Lewis McGrattan’s first half opener, but on Lewis Strapp’s Morton return, it was his long throw that fell at the feet of George Oakley, who rifled the ball into the roof of Derek Gaston’s net to send the Cowshed faithful home in fine fettle as their charge up the table began. 

Arbroath’s previous visit to Cappielow wasn’t such a happy occasion, with the visitors registering a comfortable 3-0 victory thanks to a Michael McKenna penalty, an Iain Wilson own goal and a last-minute Joao Balde strike, making for a miserable afternoon for Dougie Imrie’s troops as any pre-season optimism was smashed to pieces by a ruthless performance from the impressive visitors. 

I needn’t discuss any meetings previous to that other than to say Arbroath have won on each of their last three visits to Cappielow and are unbeaten in their last six visits, with Morton’s last home victory being a 1-0 success in November 2019, thanks to an early Reece Lyon goal. 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Opposition Analysis 

There’s no hiding from it- Arbroath are in serious bother. Tuesday night’s 0-2 defeat against fellow strugglers Ayr United was not what the doctor ordered, and with an injury list that is increasing with every passing day, it would be fair to say that if they didn’t have bad luck, they’d have no luck at all. 

With long-serving manager Dick Campbell leaving the building after their shock Scottish Cup exit to SPFL new-boys Spartans, Arbroath’s form hasn’t really improved since the appointment of former Dunfermline, Queen of the South, Ross County and Cove boss, Jim McIntyre. McIntyre’s nine games thus far has seen five defeats, three draws and a single win in Inverness. Sitting bottom of the table, two points below second bottom Queen’s Park, the need to get points on the board is a desperate one. 

I spoke to our usual port of call for all things Arbroath, Ewan Smith (@ewansmithpr), who wasn’t his usual optimistic self when discussing his side’s troubles. 

“It was unlucky thirteen for Arbroath the last time we faced Morton as our incredible unbeaten run came to a halt in December. 

That was the start of a Jim McIntyre era that has been overshadowed by injuries. It sounds like a well-worn excuse, but it’s hard to argue that the overcrowded treatment room at Arbroath, that has left our squad ravaged, has had a huge impact on the park. 

In recent games, we’ve been without an entire starting XI of first team regulars such as Derek Gaston, Tam O’Brien, Ricky Little and Michael McKenna. 

We’ve brought in five new players in Innes Murray, Zak Delaney, Adam MacKinnon, Kyle Robinson and Max Boruc to compensate- only for Murray and Delaney to both get injured themselves. 

The horrific crock list led to THAT iconic moment that saw our sub keeper Ali Adams score from thirty yards against Raith Rovers whilst playing as a makeshift striker. 

It also exposed the fact that we were only able to list three outfield players on our bench. The bench has been so bare in the games that followed that Adams has threatened a re-run. And it doesn’t look like getting much better soon. 

In our defeat to Ayr on Tuesday, we ended the game with a striker at right back, a left wing-back and right midfielder in the centre of our defence and a midfielder at left back. 

Against a gale force wind for the entire second half, there was only going to be one winner as we made it six without a victory. 

I’m normally a glass-half-full kind of guy and would always back us- particularly against Morton- but I’m not feeling it right now. 

It doesn’t help that Morton are in the midst of a ten-match unbeaten run and recently stunned Dundee United at Tannadice. 

That’s why I’d settle for a draw here and a welcome two week break from games to allow some of our injured players to get back and bolster our bid to stay in the Championship.” 

What’s Happening Elsewhere? 

There’s a full card of Saturday fixtures this weekend, as Partick Thistle visit Airdrie in a fixture that those of a Morton persuasion will be hoping that Brian Graham and the lads can do their pals from Greenock a wee favour in our bid to snatch the final play-off place, which is currently occupied by the Diamonds. 

Heaven forbid, Dunfermline may actually have to play a football match this weekend, as Dundee United are more likely to be able to stage a game at Tannadice- something East End Park has struggled to do in recent times with fixtures postponed with frozen and waterlogged pitches- coincidentally in the midst of an injury crisis for the Pars. 

There’s a basement battle of the division’s two newest managers at Hampden, as Callum Davidson takes charge of his first “home” match with Queen’s Park against An Ayr United side looking to build on Tuesday’s win over Arbroath as Scott Brown makes his bow in the Honest Mens’ dugout. 

In the final game, big-spending Raith Rovers will be looking to make it nine points from nine against Inverness- a team they had previously failed to beat since 2000. 

Photo - GBR Photographs.

Betting Guide 

All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 9pm on 25th January 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. 

Morton are overwhelming favourites going into the match, priced at 4/7, with the draw at 3/1 and Arbroath priced at 15/4. 

Our two hat trick heroes of recent weeks, George Oakley and Robbie Muirhead, are 16/1 and 22/1 respectively to notch trebles this time around. 

Match Officials 

Referee- Duncan Williams makes a swift return to Cappielow, having been in the middle of Morton’s 3-0 victory over Ayr United on the second of January, an afternoon in which he didn’t cover himself in glory. 

AR 1- Jonathan Bell 

AR 2- Ross Anderson