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  1. It’s a bit of a nuisance to quote and reply to everyone on this, but I just can’t accept the point about reporting the ground at a certain percentage of capacity at a certain point after kick off. We’re well past the stage of folk turning up on the day and handing over £20 and walking through now. Every purchased ticket is recorded and the club know how many people at a maximum will be in the ground at kick off time going by those sales, with stewarding numbers arranged in advance. I remember Dave MacKinnon telling me of similar instances of people who were knocked back, if turning up late from work, when he made his grovelling apology over his (alleged) drunken blocking me from the club’s Twitter, and telling me they were working on fixing it, yet four years down the line, and under a more efficient management structure, we’re at the same place with the same security firm. Ronnie’s point about picking on easy targets strikes a chord here, for me. Like they’re happy to pick on a grandfather and his grandson instead of getting right in the middle of the shed at its most wild, they’ve found an away fan that they think will eventually forget about the issue and move on, not knowing that his mate is in fact a Morton fan who will cling onto this like a dug with a bone. I’d expect if questioned, the first defence to be that he was drunk. He wasn’t, I met him outside the Norseman at full time, by which point he’d had plenty of unexpected time in the boozer and was completely sober. Ironically, reading Paul’s post- the guy is a medical professional, who has before found himself in situations similar to what Paul’s painted at games elsewhere, forcing him to turn up later, and been admitted. You wouldn’t know to look at him, though. Not that the head steward did, of course. She denied him admission from the other end of a walkie-talkie, leaving her subordinate to confront him, like the coward she is. With my pal included in my email trail, we received a reply from Alistair, who asked for his details to process the refund and advising that it had been forwarded to Dale. Given that I addressed the original mail to Dale and asked for his thoughts on the matter, I’m a bit disappointed that having sent it on Wednesday night, I’ve not heard a thing from him. While I feel that addressing the treatment of wronged customers should be a matter that’s treated with the utmost priority, I’m prepared to give the benefit of the doubt for now, given how busy a week this is with the Hearts game coming up, but Morton have got two extremely unhappy paying customers, here. And one of them is a very regular one. The tail is wagging the dog with this security firm, and Morton really have to be letting them know that their behaviour, and that of certain individual employees, can’t go on as it is.
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  2. Morton v Heart of Midlothian – Match Preview by Russell Gordon Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology hosts perhaps it’s highest profile match in a quarter of a century with the visit of one of Morton’s most unfamiliar foes in Premiership Heart of Midlothian, in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup quarter-final in front of the BBC Scotland cameras. Having already claimed one Premiership scalp in Motherwell, the competition’s only remaining non-Premiership club will be looking to claim a second and secure a semi-final berth for the first time since 1981. With the match not available on the season ticket, a limited number of individual match tickets for the Sinclair Street End are available at the below link, with the Main Stand and Cowshed sold out: Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com) Photo - GBR Photographs. Squad News It comes as no coincidence that having lost their two most influential players in George Oakley and Iain Wilson, Morton’s unbeaten run has come to a halt with consecutive home defeats to Inverness and Dundee United. One can only hope that Imrie has wrapped goalkeeper Ryan Mullen in cotton wool since Tuesday night’s Cappielow reverse to the Terrors, a game in which Mullen visibly struggled, requiring Darragh O’Connor to take goal kicks on his behalf. While Wilson will certainly miss out, Glen’s Vodka SPFL Championship Manager of the Month Dougie Imrie will be desperate to see the return of the talismanic Oakley, with Morton having failed to find the net in his absence. Should Oakley fail to make it, Jai Quitongo will likely deputise through the middle, with the probability of Robbie Muirhead taking on the role later in the game in the event of Quitongo being replaced. Kirk Broadfoot missed out against United through injury, but Imrie has indicated that he will return, most probably to the bench. I’d expect Michael Garrity to get the nod behind the main striker, with Grant Gillespie starting on the bench in anticipation of the amount of work that will be asked of Alan Power’s aging limbs. Having been booked twice already in the competition this season, Lewis Strapp would miss a potential semi-final should he collect another booking and Morton progress. Current Connections Scotland’s most gifted striker has represented both clubs- Robbie Muirhead spent the 2016-17 season at Tynecastle, scoring twice in eighteen games, with both goals coming in a 2-0 home win over Rangers. Morton’s now second choice goalkeeper, Jamie MacDonald started his career in the capital, making 116 appearances over a tumultuous period for the Gorgie club, which saw the glorious anarchy of the Romanov era, the trauma and uncertainty of administration and relegation to the Championship and the obvious highlight of keeping goal for their 5-1 2012 Scottish Cup final victory over local rivals Hibernian. There are two former Morton loanees in the visiting squad with winger Barrie McKay having spent the second half of Morton’s miserable 2013-14 season at Cappielow from former club Rangers, scoring five goals in eighteen games, including Morton’s only winning goal away from Cappielow in the league, notching the only goal in a victory at Livingston. Hearts star man Lawrence Shankland had a similarly unspectacular spell at Cappielow in the second half of the 2016-17. Having concluded a loan deal at St. Mirren from Aberdeen, he took the step up to Morton when his deal concluded, scoring four goals in sixteen games. Morton did reach the play-offs, but a late season dip in form helped contribute to a lame exit at the hands of Dundee United. The ‘Ton were also hindered by Shankland’s earlier involvement in the Scottish Cup with St. Mirren, cup-tying him for a trip to Ibrox, which the ‘Ton lost 1-2, without any viable striking options. He would move onto Ayr United, get his head screwed on and see his career go from strength to strength with it potentially peaking this summer if, as has been called for in many quarters, he leads the line for Scotland in this summer’s European Championships. Jai Quitongo’s dad Jose made thirty appearances for Hearts, mostly from the bench, between 1997 and 1999, scoring a memorable last-minute equaliser against Celtic at Tynecastle in 1998 as the Jam Tarts went head-to-head with Glasgow’s big two for the title, only falling away in the final few weeks of the season, but winning the Scottish Cup, although Quitongo didn’t make the squad for the showpiece occasion. Photo - GBR Photographs, Tale of the Tape It’s common knowledge that meetings between the two sides are few and far between, with Morton and Hearts continually avoiding each other in cup competitions for a generation or so before now, and the only meetings between the clubs since Morton’s relegation from the Premier Division in 1988 being three behind-closed-doors Championship encounters in the horrible COVID-affected 2020-21 season. Eventual champions Hearts took the spoils with a 2-0 win on their first visit to Cappielow in December thanks to two Jamie Walker goals, in a game in which Morton keeper Aidan McAdams’ performance kept the scoreline respectable. Morton’s visit to Tynecastle was a much more even affair, with Craig McGuffie shocking the Edinburgh side by firing Morton into a surprise lead, before Walker again netted for the Jambos to save them a point. It was again honours-even in the final meeting as a Morton side desperate for points to avoid the relegation play-offs couldn’t find a breakthrough against a Hearts side who had already been crowned champions, eventually settling for a goalless draw and surviving the hard way. Looking further back- the last Scottish Cup meeting was coincidentally also in 1988, which was won 2-0 by the Jambos in Edinburgh. The clubs have been drawn together eight times in the Scottish Cup, with Hearts progressing on seven of those occasions, including the 1968 semi-final, one of Hearts’ three replay successes. Morton’s only moment of joy also came after a replay, a 3-1 win at Tynecastle in 1981 courtesy of goals from Jim Rooney, Jim Tolmie and Bobby Thomson saw them through to face Aberdeen for what proved to be an especially memorable afternoon. Photo - GBR Photographs. Opposition Analysis There’s no escaping it- Hearts are on fire just now and have been for a considerable period. After a difficult start to his time in the Tynecastle hotseat, which was marred with controversy due to his lack of qualifications making him ineligible to lead his team in European competition, Steven Naismith’s side have settled and made the supposed battle for third place a procession, putting them in pole position for European group stage football so long as nobody other than they or the two big Glasgow clubs claim the Scottish Cup. This is of course in no small part helped by the scoring prowess of Shankland, but it would be foolish to label Hearts a one-man team. Other than Shankland, perhaps their standout performer has been Australian midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof, outstanding in last weekend’s victory over champions Celtic. We’ll likely see a rare appearance from Scotland keeper Craig Gordon, who has taken his place between the sticks in Hearts’ previous cup ties this season as he battles back from injury. Not wishing to harm his chances for a call up for the Euros, but if Naismith wishes to continue that policy, hopefully Monday’s game will be his last before the summer! I spoke to Adam Kennedy (@adamtkendo) of the Perth to Paisley podcast (@perthtopaisley) who wasn’t treating Morton lightly as he and many of his fellow Jambos make their first ever trip to Cappielow. “It’s been a wonderful time to be a Jambo recently, given the ridiculous run that Hearts went on from mid-December until we were thumped at Ibrox by a ruthless Rangers in our last away outing. Two matches at Tynecastle followed, just the small matter of an Edinburgh derby against Hibs and hosting the reigning Scottish champions- Celtic- at our place. What could possibly go wrong? I thought Sunday’s success against the team in green and white hoops had all the makings of a Celtic smashing beforehand… Brendan Rodgers’ side looked back to their best as they demolished Dundee 7-1 in midweek, and with the chance to go top of the tree and leapfrog Rangers, coupled with a disappointing derby display from a Hearts perspective- it seemed something of a certainty. However, as hasn’t been the case too often, the men in maroon were at it from the get-go. The ‘Second Half Hearts’ that we had become all too accustomed to seeing recently, had turned up from the very first minute. It would be naïve to suggest that VAR and controversy wasn’t at the heart of our victory last weekend. However, we needed a solid performance to stand a chance against Celtic and hopefully we see something similar against Morton on Monday night. Having come up against a potential banana skin in the last round, away to a decent Airdrieonians team, the Jambos produced a professional performance and swept the Diamonds aside with a 4-1 success in the last sixteen. With the possibility of a trip to Hampden of a Scottish Cup semi-final at stake, we cannot afford to take the ‘Ton lightly. Yes, we’re considered favourites in the eyes of many, but as Celtic proved at Tynecastle, that ultimately means nothing. From a personal perspective, I can’t wait to get to Cappielow and cheer the boys on. My dad reminisces about trips to Greenock. In particular, 20th October 1984, which he thinks was Sandy Clark’s first match for the Jambos, a game in which he popped up with the winner in a 3-2 victory. He was 18, but I’m 25 and only just managing to watch Hearts at Cappielow for the first time. The ‘Ton were also on a magnificent run until a wee stumble recently, I’m sorry that I hope the Jambos add to that. but I wish them well for the rest of the season. Here’s hoping that trips to Tynecastle for Morton fans, likewise excursions to Cappielow for Hearts fans, can become more frequent.” What’s Happening Elsewhere? By the time you get round to reading this, most of the action affecting Morton may well have taken place, given the BBC’s decision to save the best ‘til last this weekend. Starting with the Scottish Cup, quarter final weekend kicks off at Pittodrie with the meeting of two managers with Morton connections, as Neil Warnock’s toiling Aberdeen will be hoping the cup can provide welcome relief from their trials and tribulations in the league against Derek McInnes’s buoyant Kilmarnock, for a fixture that those with a morbid sense of curiosity may want to pay close attention too, with the ex-Aberdeen boss’s visiting side having more than a fighter’s chance of adding to the Dons’ woes. On Sunday, relegation threatened Livingston’s reward for their comeback victory over Partick in the last one is a big pay cheque and the probability of a heavy defeat at Celtic Park to show for their efforts. Later that day Rangers, fresh from their Europa League draw in Lisbon, visit Hibernian for the first Scottish Cup meeting of the clubs since the memorable 2016 final which saw Hibs end their 114-year wait for the famous old trophy. The semi-final draw takes place on BBC Scotland after Morton v Hearts. There are of course, four Championship fixtures on Saturday too, with only one club in the division retaining an interest in the competition at this late stage in the season. Leaders Dundee United will be looking to build on their midweek victory at Cappielow with a home win over bottom dogs Arbroath, who will also be looking to build on a positive result, having registered a fine comeback victory over big-spending Raith Rovers. The free-spending Fifers host local rivals Dunfermline for the sixth derby between the two this season, and with United likely to pick up three points in their own derby, will require a victory to avoid the Terrors stretching their lead at the top. Inverness host an Airdrie side that are suddenly breathing down Morton’s neck for a play-off place, having taken care of the East End Park club in midweek. There would be few complaints from Greenock if Duncan Ferguson’s side could replicate their result and performance from Cappielow this time around. In the final game, Queen’s Park host Partick in the Glasgow derby at Hampden, hoping for a win to propel them into play-off contention at the right end of the table, while Ayr United sit out with Morton otherwise occupied. Photo - GBR Photographs. Betting Guide All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 8th February 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. It’s no surprise that Hearts are favourites at 4/5, with Morton priced at 14/5 and the draw at 13/5. A Morton win in extra time comes in at 14/1 and Morton to win to nil is 6/1. Match Officials Referee- David Dickenson takes charge of his third Morton game of the season, having been in the middle for our 1-2 defeats by Rangers and big-spending Raith Rovers in the League Cup and the Championship respectively, even awarding Morton a penalty at Ibrox! AR 1- Dougie Potter AR 2- Gordon Crawford Fourth Official- Kevin Clancy
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  3. Person involved did run the line v Airdrie, something else that made that particular incident all the more laughable. He must be one of the more recognisable figures in the shed.
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  4. I don’t doubt what you’ve said is true, and fair enough if that’s how the contract with the security company works. But that doesn’t justify their staff being rude and obstructive to paying customers, and their performance as a subcontractor, and the performance of their staff has to come under some form of regular review, even if things are going well. And given the amount of complaints from various different people, the performance of their staff simply isn’t up to scratch. My mate had bought ten tickets for him and all his pals, so couldn’t be refunded for his individual ticket immediately, but after I emailed the club and included him in the email, they’ve taken his details and will process his refund this week, although he and I are still waiting to hear the thoughts of the General Manager about the issues I raised. Good enough of the club to refund him for his ticket, but we now have this woman costing the club his £22 because of her attitude. How often do things like this happen? Can Morton afford to just throw money away because someone who is working on the club’s behalf has an attitude problem? As a club for whom it’s common knowledge that every penny is prisoner, it is negligent in the extreme not to thoroughly investigate the behaviour of someone who is working on their behalf actively driving paying customers away.
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  5. Why would there be a cutoff though? If someone wants to pay full price for a ticket and rock up late - even just for the 2nd half for example, why shouldn't they be able to?
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  6. A pal of mine who supports Dundee United was denied entry last night because he was late in turning up at the ground. Not that it should need explaining, but when in the Norseman he had to deal with a phone call that was a bit of a family emergency, and by the time he got round to leaving to go to the ground, the gates were all locked. He approached a steward to see if he could gain entry to the ground and the steward radioed his supervisor, who said under no circumstances would he be allowed in, despite having no idea of the circumstances surrounding his late arrival, and the fact that he had bought a valid match ticket. It will come as no surprise that he described the supervisor on the other end of the radio as female and “very aggressive” in her tone. Said supervisor did not, of course, attend the scene in person to explain why my pal wouldn’t be getting in. I understand there may be a cut off point to get entry to a game, but to be told that “under no circumstances” will he be permitted entry, is completely unacceptable imho. People encounter issues in their day-to-day lives, being treated like that be someone whose job role is customer service shouldn't happen, and was an embarrassment to me when he told me how my club were treating him. I doubt it’ll take much joining up of dots to establish who the female supervisor is, and I’m 99.99% sure that it was the same woman who we constantly complain about on here. It’s about time she lost her job.
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  7. Stewards too busy telling 6 year old they can't sit on a barrier
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