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(Photo-Russell Gordon)
Greenock Morton FC AGM- 18th April 2024
By Russell Gordon
This year’s AGM of Greenock Morton FC took place in the Douglas Rae Lounge at Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology last night, 18th April 2024, held by Directors Graham Barr, Michael Harkins, and Sam Robinson, with Club Secretary Alistair Joyce.
There were four apologies from the board, and a further one from the assembled shareholders, but one notable absentee was Chairman John Laird.
The meeting started with one point of order, raised by former Director Gordon Ritchie, who voiced his concerns about the legality of the meeting, given that it was being held over ten months since the date of the audited accounts. Graham Barr quipped in retaliation to Mr. Ritchie’s concerns that this was an oversight, putting it down to the lack of legal expertise on the club board since Mr. Ritchie’s recent departure. Mr. Ritchie responded by pointing out that this is the responsibility of the current board of directors, not former ones, and that he wasn’t comfortable with the legality of the meeting. Mr. Barr accepted this wasn’t ideal, but that the meeting would carry on regardless.
Graham Barr opened with the Director’s Report, addressing the club’s second surplus in a couple of years, which was owed in no small part to cup draws against Celtic at Celtic Park and Rangers at Ibrox in consecutive seasons, while also thanking Dalrada for their annual six-figure contribution to the club.
Graham Barr (Photo- Greenock Telegraph)
On the park, it was noted that Morton narrowly missed out on another six-figure sum in prize money, such was the tight finish at the top of the Championship last season, with only a couple of points separating Morton in fifth from second placed Ayr United.
It was accepted that the team’s form has fluctuated this season, with a terrific mid-season run sandwiched between two poorer runs at the beginning and end of the campaign- this was put down to the club’s small squad proving problematic for the manager when injuries and individual loss of form hit.
On a more positive note, the club have bought a flat in the local area which will be used for players arriving from further afield and will rely on MCT for the preparation of the flat. Talks are ongoing with members of the current squad about contract renewals as the manager prepares for next season.
Off the park, the club’s backroom operations were discussed, with Sam Robinson regaling a discussion with Alloa Chairman and SFA President Mike Mulraney, who previously described Morton as the mirror image of his club, in that Morton are a full-time football team with a part-time operation in the background, while The Wasps were a full-time operation supporting a part-time football team. It was revealed on releasing the club’s strategy for the future in February that addressing this is a priority, and that Morton will be focussing on commercial revenue and the launch of the Business Club, with the club having the intention of being open and transparent in how they operate.
It was accepted that while there has been great progress in recent years, there is still a long way to go.
Moving on, Michael Harkins went into more details on the club’s finances with the Financial Report. For the financial year ended 31st May 2023, the club posted a profit in the region of £70,000, with Morton making around £200,000 from their visit to Celtic Park in January of that year. Income for the year was around £1.5 million, with outgoings of just over £1.4 million.
Morton made slightly more from their visit to Ibrox than they did from the Celtic match, and expect to make a profit close to £200,000 in the current financial year, which ends on 31st May 2024. The club have received roughly £750,000 from MCT contributions, and turning over such modest profits under community ownership is a positive compared to annual losses of c. £300,000 under the previous regime.
We moved onto one proposed amendment to the Articles of Association- given that MCT had worked closely with Motherwell’s Well Society, and a lot of the wording was copy and pasted from Motherwell’s articles, a reference to “The Well Society” slipped through the net and appeared on Morton’s Articles. The proposal to correct and change this to “Morton Club Together” was passed unanimously.
Next on the agenda was the re-election of Graham Barr to the board of directors, which was passed without any contest. There was no further business raised so the meeting was formally closed before a less formal discussion on matters relating to the club.
I’ll not name check anyone asking questions as it wouldn’t be right to do so should they not be happy.
First up was a question about contract renewals, which was met with a predictable answer that discussions are ongoing with some of the squad, but many are understandably biding their time to see if other offers come along and it would be inappropriate to comment on private negotiations.
Another question was raised about the accounts relating to a period of almost a year ago, which isn’t so relevant to the club’s current position. Michael Harkins answered this by confirming it is a legacy issue with the club’s accountants, and going forward he’s hoping for accounts to be audited in August.
Michael Harkins (Photo- Greenock Morton)
Regarding the flat the club had purchased, while the imminent arrival of Jordan Davies from Connah’s Quay was alluded to, the question was put about more “exotic” signings, which were brushed off as unlikely but not out of the question.
We then moved onto my own favourite subject of stewarding, as I queried the treatment of a friend of mine who supports Dundee United last month by the head steward, and Morton’s approach to the complaint. Happily, with the General Manager in attendance, this was addressed this morning after the meeting.
Another shareholder cited his own problems with the head steward, and the treatment of his grandson by her. The GM preferred to concentrate on the stewarding team rather than one individual, perhaps understandably, but with the individual driving the team, it was pointed out that privately looking at her actions could prove a solution to the problems.
Reserved seating in the stand was also brought up, and perhaps most alarmingly, problems with disabled provisions for the Hearts cup tie last month, with part of the section required for the away club’s staff.
Moving on, the question was raised about the club’s youth academy. With the academy costing in the region of £100,000 a year, a third review in four years is taking place after the SFA deemed it to be one of the poorest in the country. Michael Harkins was adamant that changes will certainly be made on the basis of the findings of the latest review.
With Morton’s fortunate cup draws in recent times, it was asked what contingency plans are in place for an early exit from cup competitions that doesn’t involve a trip to one of Glasgow’s big two. Sam Robinson stated that the club budget to be knocked out of the cups at the earliest possible stage and finish eighth in the Championship, and emphasised that this is why Morton are making improving commercial revenue a priority, as well as building MCT membership, and using the value of community ownership to push the Morton brand. He also confirmed a new sleeve sponsor will be announced in the near future.
The club’s player of the year event was also brought up, and in particular the pricing. While the board said that sales are going well and they expect the event to sell out, they did say it would be reviewed going forward. I could be wrong, but I took that as an acceptance that they scored a bit of an own goal with their pricing policy and will learn their lesson next year.
My next query was on a similar subject to my first, this time about the away fan experience at Cappielow, and more pertinently to Morton fans, how that impacts us on our travels, given that away grounds haven’t been terribly welcoming this season and Morton are regarded in most circles as having the worst facilities in the division.
This was put down to cost more than anything, but it was accepted that away fans do get a raw deal. There were no promises for improvements going forward, and the TV studio makes things difficult for TV games, but the availability of the west side of the Cowshed was noted.
To wrap things up, there were questions relating to the proposed community hub, and whether the club could seek UEFA funding- an unlikely source in my personal opinion, and about whether the club look at similar sized clubs, especially given Dale Pryde-MacDonald’s links to Ross County. Graham Barr said that the club are now spreading their wings a bit wider, having previously relied on a small pool of sponsors.
He also said that the club want to improve their regular crowds rather than depending on positive results bringing out bigger crowds, and are working on that.
I’d normally like to finish with a conclusion, but will leave it to the reader to make their own decisions off the back of this account, as I had no real positive or negative feelings on the evening’s discussions. Over to you.
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Arbroath v Morton – Match Preview
by Russell Gordon
With only a small concern over the possibility of Morton ending up in the relegation play-offs, and the play-offs at the right end of the table now arithmetically out of reach after a dismal seven weeks or so since Morton’s sixteen match unbeaten run came to an end, the irresistible force meets the immoveable object as our favourites make what could be their last trip to Gayfield for a while to visit already relegated Arbroath.
While there aren’t many fixtures in this division that either team will relish, such is the turgid form of both, this is perhaps a game that Dougie Imrie and Jim McIntyre will look towards to provide some cheer at a time that points have been at a premium for both.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Squad News
There’s no secret that injuries have played their part in Morton’s late season decline, with talismanic striker George Oakley joining Lewis Strapp on the sidelines for the visit of Dundee United last Friday.
There’s no indication of a return for either, but I suspect the withdrawal of Iain Wilson at half time last week was merely a case of Imrie managing the midfielder’s game time in order to aid his recovery.
Imrie’s has also had his defensive woes of late, but he can consider himself lucky that Jack Baird hasn’t received a call from the Compliance Officer, after Morton’s vice-captain appeared quite conclusively to stamp on United striker Louis Moult in the first half of Friday’s defeat to the league leaders. There must have been fears that Baird would be facing at least a two match ban, but those appear unfounded.
The manager could rotate again, with the likes of Michael Garrity and Jack Bearne pushing for Jai Quitongo’s place in the side, and the possibility of Robbie Muirhead dropping back should Oakley make a return to the starting XI.
Current Connections
Since the departure of Bobby Linn from Arbroath last summer, the only remaining player connecting the two clubs is between the Arbroath sticks.
Derek Gaston was a popular figure in his seven years at Cappielow between 2012 and 2019, after arriving from Albion Rovers. making a significant contribution and bagging a League One winners’ medal in 2015 as Morton returned to Scotland’s second tier.
After leaving Morton in 2019, Gaston moved onto newly promoted Arbroath, who allowed him to go part time to let him concentrate on furthering a career in coaching. Gaston’s contribution at Gayfield has been equally significant, playing a pivotal role in the Red Lichties’ incredible 2021-22 season in which they were pipped to the post for the Championship title by Kilmarnock.
Though he hasn’t seen as much first team action this term, this may well be the last time the Arbroath custodian comes face-to-face with his former employers.
Tale of the Tape
It’s quite inconsiderate of Arbroath to go and get relegated, just as Morton finally manage to break their hoodoo against our friends from Angus.
Their final win of their incredible run of thirteen games without defeat in the fixture came in August at Cappielow, as Arbroath registered a 3-0 victory over Morton as the visitors recorded their first league success of the campaign on a day the Morton’s early season optimism evaporated in alarming fashion.
Kirk Broadfoot was penalised for handball in the box in the twentieth minute, allowing Michael McKenna to convert from the spot to give the visitors a surprise lead. That lead was doubled with fourteen minutes remaining when Iain Wilson, debuting on his return to the club from Queen of the South, turned the ball into his own net, before Joao Balde put the lid on a miserable afternoon for the ‘Ton by adding a fourth right on the final whistle.
The hoodoo though, was finally broken in early December when Morton travelled to Gayfield and included the returning Lewis Strapp in the matchday squad. With their early-season injury woes beginning to clear, Lewis McGrattan got on the end of a beautiful through ball from Jack Bearne to give Morton a first half lead before Arbroath stalwart David Gold levelled the affair on the hour.
However, with eleven minutes to go, Morton utilised a weapon that they had been deprived of all season, as Strapp’s long throw was nodded on by Robbie Muirhead and landed at the feet on George Oakley, who turned and rifled the ball into the net to give Morton a long overdue victory.
Arbroath’s visit in January was a more straight-forward affair, though Morton did make heavy work of their 3-0 victory against ten-man Arbroath who lost the experienced Keghan Jacobs to two quickfire bookings in the 25th and 26th minutes.
It took two penalties, from Robbie Muirhead on 63 minutes and Grant Gillespie in the 82nd, sandwiching a fine 75th minute George Oakley goal to give Morton the points against an Arbroath side for whom relegation was beginning to loom large by that stage of the season.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Opposition Analysis
There’s no hiding from it, Arbroath have endured a miserable campaign, with their relegation rubber stamped last weekend by a 0-5 Somerset Park drubbing. They’ve failed to pick up a single point since their remarkable, and not-at-all-funny 3-2 comeback victory over big-spending Raith Rovers. Seven consecutive defeats have followed, and over the course of the season there have been a number of heavy drubbings, with a 0-17 aggregate to champions-elect Dundee United the most damning statistic.
The departure of long-serving manager Dick Campbell after their shock Scottish Cup exit to League Two Spartans ended up quite a messy affair, and the appointment of his successor, man-of-many-club Jim McIntyre, just hasn’t proven to be a success on any measurable scale.
I spoke to our friend from the east coast, Ewan Smith (@ewansmithpr) about Arbroath’s dismal campaign and his hopes for the match and going forward in League One:
“With relegation confirmed after a 0-5 defeat by Ayr last week, it’s all about pride for Arbroath.
In truth, it’s been an incredibly difficult season for all at Gayfield. The horrendous injury situation, that at one point saw twelve players sidelined, had a hugely detrimental impact on the club and forced its hand into making emergency signings.
But the simple fact is that the team hasn’t been good enough over the course of the season to survive. They deserve to finish bottom.
There have been a lot of poor performances and too many uncharacteristic hammerings. The club’s success was built on a solid backline, but injuries and loss of form have driven a wedge through that.
Where does the club go now? Financially, it’s on a solid footing. The club has made a lot of sound commercial decisions and has strong links to local businesses and the wider community.
But on the park there needs to be, and will be, a big rebuild job.
It’s not going to be easy, but the re-signing of key player Scott Stewart on a new two-year deal is a welcome boost and he’ll be a crucial player going forward. There is such a strong affinity between players such as Stewart, David Gold, Tam O’Brien, Michael McKenna and Derek Gaston., and if Arbroath can hold onto their core players and add quality then they can make a fist of it next term.
Until then though, they need to make an impact in their final three Championship games.
Morton used to be a game Arbroath fans relished, on the back of an unbeaten record that evaporated this season.
But on the back of a public meeting between manager Jim McIntyre, long-serving David Gold and the fans, it will be interesting to see how the team and the home support react.”
What’s Happening Elsewhere?
After United’s resounding victory at Cappielow last Friday, the winning post is in sight for Jim Goodwin’s side, who sit six points clear at the top of the pile with only three games remaining.
The Arabs will have their eyes glued to their TVs on Friday night, as big-spending Raith Rovers’ visit to an Inverness side who dragged themselves out of the relegation play-off place with a vital win at Hampden that saw them overtake their hosts Queen’s Park, last weekend. Should the lavish-spending lino cutters fail to win, a victory for United at home to Ayr will see the champagne corks popping at Tannadice, although in truth, such is their massive goal difference advantage, any result in Inverness coupled with a Dundee United victory will effectively guarantee the title.
More pertinently for Morton- should Raith win on Friday, a Morton victory would mean that the Highlanders could only finish level on points with Morton at the season’s conclusion, and that would rely on them beating the ‘Ton at the Caledonian Stadium on the final day.
The other match directly affecting Morton is Queen’s Park’s visit to Dunfermline. With the Spiders sitting five points behind Morton, the ‘Ton could be guaranteed to finish above the Glasgow side should results go as hoped. Heaven forbid, Morton lose and both Inverness and Queen’s Park win, but we’ll worry about that at 5pm on Saturday!
In the final match, Partick host Airdrie in a dress rehearsal for the play-off quarter final. Yuck.
Elsewhere in Scotland, the Scottish Cup semi-finals take centre stage, as Celtic face Aberdeen at Hampden on Saturday and Morton’s quarter-final conquerors, Hearts, travel to the National Stadium to face Rangers.
With the League One, League Two and Lowland League titles all done and dusted, there’s a box office finish to the Highland League season, with Buckie Thistle sitting in the box seat, on 78 points with a goal difference of 63 goals, while nearest challengers Brechin City are also on 78 points, but with a goal difference of 61 goals.
Buckie have scored nine more goals and host Keith in their final game, while Brechin travel to Brora Rangers. Fraserburgh can technically still win the title, but sit three points behind the two favourites with a goal difference of 54. They do host league whipping boys Strathspey Thistle, but the likelihood of both losing while they make up the considerable goal difference is remote.
The eventual champions travel to K-Park to play Lowland champions East Kilbride next Saturday for the play-off semi-final first leg, before hosting the Oystercatchers in a fortnight’s time for a crack at whoever finishes bottom of League Two, with Clyde currently occupying the dreaded Club 42 spot.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Betting Guide
All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 18th April 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.
Morton are clear favourites going into the match, despite their woes of recent weeks. The visitors are priced at 8/15, with Arbroath at 4/1 and the draw at 3/1.
Grant Gillespie to score anytime is 15/8 and Morton to be leading at half time and to win at full time is 6/4.
Match Officials
Referee- Callum Scott officiates his second Morton game of the season, having stood in the middle of their 4-1 League Cup Group Stage victory over Edinburgh City.
AR 1- Daniel McFarlane
AR 2- Elliot Husband Powton
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Morton v Dundee United – Match Preview
by Russell Gordon
Well, that’s it. Done and dusted. We can forget about promotion, and don’t have any realistic concerns of relegation either. And so, begins the first of four dead-rubbers from a Morton perspective.
Their visitors Dundee United however, have far more pressing issues after Airdrie’s victory over big-spending Raith Rovers left the Terrors in pole position in the race for the Championship title, with their trip to Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology attracting the BBC Scotland cameras for a game that unfortunately won’t mean as much to those of a Morton persuasion.
Match tickets are available at the below link:
Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com)
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Squad News
With this evening’s match being Morton’s third in six days, Dougie Imrie could again shuffle his pack, and with the welcome return of midfielder Iain Wilson at Somerset Park on Tuesday night from the bench, we could see him take his place in the starting XI after a relatively encouraging return on an otherwise dour evening’s “entertainment”.
While I’d expect Cammy Blues to start, that probably leaves one spot to be fought for between Wilson, Grant Gillespie and Alan Power.
For the time being at least, it looks as though Kirk Broadfoot is the preferred defensive option to Darragh O’Connor, and after notching a goal against Ayr, will likely continue in the starting XI.
Imrie did intimate before the Somerset draw that only Jamie MacDonald and Lewis Strapp are injured, although the nature of the injury Strapp picked up against Dunfermline, and the length of his absence remain unclear. He has pointed out that there were a few niggles and knocks since that draw, and he could be waiting until late on for a couple to prove their fitness.
While Michael Garrity started on Tuesday, Jai Quitongo, Lewis McGrattan and Jack Bearne will also be pushing for a start.
Current Connections
There are two former United players in the Morton squad. Grant Gillespie enjoyed only a short spell at Tannadice, in the second half of the 2017-18 season, making only six appearances as United were denied promotion by title winners St. Mirren and eventual play-off winners Livingston at the semi-final stage.
Robbie Muirhead joined Dundee United for a £150,000 fee from his boyhood heroes Kilmarnock in January 2015, a move that saw then-Killie boss Allan Johnston handing in his resignation as a result. He was to make only fifteen appearances, scoring twice: in a 1-2 defeat by Inverness and more notably, the only goal in a 1-0 victory over rivals Aberdeen.
In the visitors ranks, only Liam Grimshaw has represented Morton. The affable right back/midfielder joined up under freedom of contract in the early weeks of last season, enjoying a brief but successful spell in Greenock, in which he won the club’s Player of the Year award before moving onto Tayside as Morton were unable to compete with United’s more attractive financial package.
Another familiar face to the Cappielow was former kitman Andy Bryan, who served Morton for over forty years in various capacities before he was removed from his position by Dave MacKinnon in the bad old days of he and David Hopkin’s reign of terror.
Tale of the Tape
It’s very much honours even between the sides this season. On Morton’s first trip to Tannadice in September, the struggling visitors fell behind to an early Louis Moult header, but battled back in the second half, as Robbie Muirhead latched onto a howling mix-up between United’s Luton loanee goalkeeper Jack Walton and former Scotland defender Declan Gallagher to snatch an unlikely equaliser.
The game was ruined by the appalling performance of referee David Munro, however, and not for the first or last time this season, although he did make one correct decision in ordering off United’s Matthew Cudjoe, for an elbow on Callum Waters.
If the first visit was all about the hapless Munro though, Morton’s George Oakley stole the show second time around with a fantastic hat-trick to shock the title favourites and deliver three points to Dougie Imrie’s side.
Oakley nodded home Michael Garrity’s pinpoint cross on 25 minutes and poked in a second 11 minutes later to double the ‘Ton’s lead, but United hit back immediately through a Kai Fotheringham header, and Moult equalised on the stroke of half time.
While United dominated the second half, things turned late on when they were again reduced to ten men as Craig Sibbald was ordered off for a second bookable offence. A minute later, Oakley got on the end of a long Ryan Mullen clearance and outmuscled Kevin Holt before his terrific strike kissed the inside of the post on the way in, much to the delight of the Morton bench and the travelling support.
In the most recent meeting at Cappielow, re-arranged from December, United won 1-0 thanks to a first half goal from Moult, a real thorn in Morton’s side all season. I won’t go into it in the same length I did our victory at Tannadice.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Opposition Analysis
Quite how they’ve managed it I don’t know, but United are now clear favourites to seal the title. Many may argue that it’s despite Jim Goodwin rather than because of his good work, but it can’t be denied that when questions have been asked at the business end of the season, they’ve delivered the goods, rather than drawing cartoons and chasing likes on social media, while their big-spending title challengers Raith Rovers have stuttered.
United’s victory over the far-from-frugal Fifers last weekend was pivotal, and in following it up with a 5-0 victory over Queen’s Park, they look to have hit form at the right time, coinciding with Raith failing to make the most of their significant financial clout against Airdrie in midweek, a result that did our own promotion ambitions no favours at all.
I spoke to our regular United port of call, Gary Manson of the Shed 57 (@Shed_57) supporters’ club, who is feeling a bit better about life on Tayside these days:
“Things are looking much rosier on Tannadice Street since United last visited Cappielow.
Airdrie’s win at Stark’s Park on Tuesday night has given United valuable breathing space in the title race and they can take a huge step towards the Premiership with a win on Friday night. There have been a few ropey moments in the last few weeks- not least relying on Louis Moult scoring from the halfway line to salvage a 1-1 draw with struggling Inverness, but a 2-0 win over Raith at Tannadice a fortnight ago put United in the driving seat and last weekend’s 5-0 demolition of Queen’s Park at Hampden further underlined the Tangerines’ title credentials.
Jack Walton has overall been a reliable pair of hands in the goal and has been an enormous improvement on the catastrophic and calamitous goalkeeping from last season which contributed so heavily to United losing their Premiership status.
Young Miller Thomson has slotted into the right back position and is growing in confidence with every passing week. Earlier this season, United had experienced centre halves in Declan Gallagher and Kevin Holt, but injury has meant that Ross Graham and Northern Irishman Sam McClellan have stepped up to the first team with two consecutive clean sheets to their credit. Scott McMann, who’s featured heavily this season makes up the regular back four.
United are a different side with Ross Docherty in the midfield. Docherty brings a definite confidence and composure to the middle of the park and helps the United midfield to dictate the pace of the game. Craig Sibbald, the leading contender for United’s Player of the Year award, has had a solid season and has staked a claim for a midfield berth should United return to the top division.
Tony Watt remains something of an enigma. He had a great game against Raith at Tannadice, scoring United’s opener and proving a constant thorn in the Raith defence, but too often he’s appeared disinterested, and the game passed him by. Morton fans will hope that Watt has a quiet night at Cappielow as he can on occasion prove United’s most threatening attacking player.
Young Kai Fotheringham has enjoyed a good season, and since breaking into the first team he has chipped into United’s title push with eleven goals. His brace at Hampden last week will breed confidence for Friday night and his return to goalscoring form enhances United’s attacking threat in a forward line which is completed by Louis Moult, who will be looking to score in a fourth consecutive game.
Much of the United support have been far from happy with their team’s efforts this season. Seldom can a team at the top of the league have generated so much negativity and there is an element of the support that is far from convinced by Goodwin. That all has the potential to change in the event of getting over the line, lifting some silverware and returning to the topflight, though.
Eight points from four games is enough, irrespective of Raith’s results- the travelling support will hope three of those are added this evening.”
Photo - GBR Photographs.
What’s Happening Elsewhere?
With finishing as high up the table as possible the only realistic aim, there’s not much to get excited about, I’m afraid.
Fifth placed Dunfermline travel to Airdrie, and a Diamonds victory at this stage would probably be the best-case scenario at this stage in terms of picking up prize money, but if we’re being honest, there’s nothing that will suit Morton.
Big-spending Raith Rovers face Partick at Stark’s Park in a game that could be a dress rehearsal for a play-off semi-final that picking a preferred winner from would be akin to choosing your favourite serial killer.
At the bottom of the table, Arbroath’s inevitable relegation will be rubber-stamped should they fail to beat Ayr or Inverness collect anything at Hampden.
That fixture at the National Stadium is probably the biggest match-up of the weekend, with the Highlanders sitting a point behind their hosts as both battles to avoid ninth place and a likely semi-final against Montrose in early May.
Betting Guide
All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 11th April 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.
Unsurprisingly, the visitors are clear favourites at 4/5, whilst Morton are priced at a very large 3/1 and the draw at 5/2.
Morton to win 1-0 is 10/1 and George Oakley to score the first goal is priced at 13/2.
Match Officials
Referee- Graham Grainger takes charge of his fourth match at Cappielow this season, and the omens aren’t good, with the official having presided over defeats by Partick, Dunfermline and Inverness.
AR 1- Chris Rae
AR 2- Iain Hart
Fourth Official- Lloyd Wilson
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Ayr United v Morton - Match Preview
by Russell Gordon
There’s no hiding from it, after Saturday’s terribly disappointing result from a miserable afternoon in Airdrie, Morton are playing for snookers if they are to have any ambitions of claiming a play-off place, with the Diamonds now five points clear of them and looking like clear favourites to book a quarter final meeting with Partick in early May.
The visit to Ayr United- another side on the periphery of the play-off race, will now take on an extra significance after the weekend’s result, as Morton find themselves in a similar position to last term, when they were in the position that there was no margin of error if they were to have any chance of making the top four.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Squad News
After Saturday’s debacle, there must be a few who are concerned for their starting berths. I’d expect to see Darragh O’Connor return to the starting XI, whether for Tyler French or Kirk Broadfoot, neither of whom enjoyed distinguished afternoons, is up for debate.
Lewis Strapp has been a terrible miss- the loss of the attacking outlet from his long throws has been an obvious miss, but the downgrade in Calum Waters is also telling. While it’s difficult to feel anything but sympathy for the former Kilmarnock left back, the return of Strapp can’t come soon enough.
Though Alan Power has enjoyed great plaudits as Morton have suffered a difficult time in recent weeks, the time may well have come for the Irishman to sit out after a disappointing afternoon in which he lost possession in the lead up to Airdrie’s first two goals. Grant Gillespie would be the most likely replacement, but like Strapp, we’re counting down the minutes until the return of Iain Wilson.
I’d expect to see Jai Quitongo get a start after the wide man added a bit of energy to Morton’s attack, providing a fine run and cross for Michael Garrity’s fortuitous consolation goal. Jack Bearne would probably be the most likely to return to the bench.
Current Connections
There are often a number of former players at each club, given their similar statures and proximity, with of course the legacy of both clubs’ times managed by David Hopkin. Apologies to fans of either who may get PTSD from the reminder of his reigns of terror at each.
However, only Sean McGinty remains at Ayr from Hopkin’s band of brothers- the Ayr captain arrived from Cappielow in the summer of 2021 after an unhappy time at Morton (not only for McGinty, some of us had to watch him in blue and white hoops).
Since then, McGinty has enjoyed his ups and downs against Morton, missing the decisive penalty in a SPFL Trust Trophy shoot out win for Morton last term and taking great pleasure in scoring Ayr’s second in a 3-1 win in Greenock later that season.
Before Hopkin’s time at Morton, Raymond McKinnon foolishly allowed Andy Murdoch to leave without tying him up on a new deal on his arrival in 2019. Not the most foolish decision he made that summer admittedly, but since then Murdoch has been a mainstay at Ayr until the injury inflicted on himself on the season’s opening day after a shocking challenge on Jai Quitongo, that has seen him sit out the full campaign.
Jack Baird made the move in the opposite direction in 2022, after having previously spent a season on loan at Morton from St. Mirren and a couple of years at Somerset Park.
Grant Gillespie joined up at Somerset in the January transfer window of 2020, but with the season curtailed by the COVID pandemic, managed to make only five appearances for the Honest Men before moving onto Queen’s Park.
Robbie Crawford started his career with Ayr, staying seven years before moving onto Livingston and subsequently Motherwell and Partick, before joining Morton early last season under freedom of contract.
Morton assistant Andy Millen can of course, count Ayr amongst his litany of former employers.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Tale of the Tape
Now for the good bit.
Morton have picked up nine points from nine against Ayr, a side that generally have the better of the head-to-heads even when Morton are enjoying a better season.
The opening day of the season saw Morton record an excellent 3-1 victory having fallen behind to a 51st minute strike from Murdoch’s replacement Oliver Pendlebury, following the ex-Morton man’s withdrawal after his aforementioned howler of a tackle on Quitongo.
Robbie Crawford curled in a fine equaliser on 62 minutes before a Robbie Muirhead penalty fifteen minutes from time gave Morton the lead. Steven Boyd’s late goal from close range, following terrific work from Jack Bearne on the right, sealed a fine three points as Morton started the season in fine style.
It’s fair to say that was to prove a false dawn however, as it wasn’t until late October that Morton recorded their next league win of the season- again against the Honest Men. In a tousy affair that looked to be fizzling out to a goalless draw, George Oakley nodded home an Alan Power free kick three minutes from time to give Morton the points, and create bedlam amongst the Morton players and fans.
As we entered the new year, with Morton’s fortunes taking a turn for the better, they were first footed by an Ayr United side who would have been as well not turning up for the Robbie Muirhead show. Muirhead was to enjoy perhaps his finest day in a Morton jersey, nodding in a 35th minute opener from a cross beautifully put up by Cammy Blues, before adding two more in the second half- the pick being his second from a fine run and right foot shot beyond Robbie Mutch on 57 minutes. His third a couple of minutes later saw him collect a Kirk Broadfoot pass at the edge of the box before reversing the ball across the goalkeeper with his left and complete a perfect hat-trick to pick up a well-deserved man of the match award and match ball for a fine afternoon’s work.
Though Morton collected maximum points from their meetings with Cove Rangers last season, a win this evening would see them return the maximum from another side in this division for only the second time since completing a clean sweep against Airdrie in 2012-13.
Opposition Analysis
While Morton have had the better of Ayr over the course of the season, only league leaders Dundee United have enjoyed such a fine run of results against the Honest Men, who have been a model of inconsistency. In fact, their last ten league games have seen a run of a victory followed by a defeat, then followed by a victory. That of course included fine wins over Partick and Airdrie that really should have done Morton a favour, though we’ve failed to take advantage. Joy of joys, defeat by big-spending Raith Rovers on Saturday means that if they’re to continue that run, we can expect defeat this evening.
Of course, since that last meeting at Cappielow, Ayr boss Lee Bullen has been relieved of his duties and replaced by former Hibernian, Aberdeen and Scotland midfielder Scott Brown. Despite their inconsistencies, Brown has steered Ayr clear of any major relegation concerns and will look to put a stamp on the side over the summer.
I asked our regular font of knowledge for all things Ayr United, Marc Dunlop (@Marco_Ayr) for his thoughts going into the match:
“The Honest Men host Greenock Morton on Tuesday evening in what the majority of Ayr supporters are calling a must win game.
In what has been a hugely inconsistent campaign for Scott Brown’s men, nobody connected to Ayr can relax just yet, with the relegation play-off place still within touching distance, while Ayr’s poor record against Morton this season can’t be ignored.
Ayr will be without Paddy Reading and ex-Morton man Andy Murdoch, and will give late fitness tests to Nathan McGinley and Frankie Musonda, who both missed the weekend defeat in Kirkcaldy.
Kurt Willoughby should come into the manager’s thoughts for a starting place, as should academy graduate Scott Tomlinson, who has impressed since his debut earlier this year.
All in all a pivotal game for Ayr as we continue to look over our shoulders, stuttering towards the finishing line. C’mon Ayr!”
Photo - GBR Photographs.
What’s Happening Elsewhere?
After the weekend’s disappointment, there may be some with their eyes on events at Kirkcaldy and looking for a favour from big-spending Raith Rovers as the moneybags Fifers host Airdrie in a match re-arranged from the weekend of the Diamond’s SPFL Trust Trophy Final success.
With Airdrie now sitting five points clear of Morton, the ideal scenario is of course victories for Morton and Murray’s Moneymen. Fans of Ayr, Airdrie, Dundee United and Dunfermline of course, may disagree!
Elsewhere in Scotland- in the Premiership, Rangers can go top with a win over Dundee on the Dens Park bog with a win, while the Dark Blues will be looking for the points to confirm their top six berth on their return to the Premiership.
In the fifth tier, East Kilbride can secure the Lowland League title if they avoid defeat at Civil Service Strollers, and the Highland League title race is really hotting up between four clubs, but the two most likely to contest the crown are Brechin and Buckie Thistle. Brechin, who are six points clear of Thistle go to Keith, but Buckie with two games in hand face a somewhat stiffer test at home to Brora Rangers.
Betting Guide
All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 8th April 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.
Morton again go in as favourites at 13/10, with Ayr priced a 9/5 and the draw at 23/10.
Morton to score in both halves is 12/5 and Robbie Muirhead to repeat his feat of Ayr’s visit to Cappielow by bagging another treble is 50-1, for the more optimistic among us.
Match Officials
Referee- Iain Snedden takes charge of his third Morton game of the season, having officiated the 0-3 early season defeat by Arbroath and the memorable 3-2 win over Dundee United at Tannadice in January.
AR 1- Dougie Potter
AR 2- Scott Bunting
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Airdrieonians v Morton – Match Preview
by Russell Gordon
Having gotten back on the saddle last weekend with a comfortable victory over their little pets Queen’s Park at Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology, Morton kick off a run of three games in six days with what to date is their biggest game of the league campaign, as they head to North Lanarkshire to face Airdrieonians, the club currently occupying the coveted fourth place in the table that Morton will aspire to reach at the season’s conclusion to guarantee a play-off place.
With any relegation fears now realistically put to bed following the weekend’s results, Saturday’s match will likely determine whether or not Morton are playing for anything more than pride and prize money as the campaign hurtles towards its conclusion.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Squad News
Things are beginning to look up again after a difficult time with injuries. George Oakley of course has had another week back in the team, and Jai Quitongo looked a lot more like himself in Saturday’s second half cameo.
There is of course a concern over Lewis Strapp, who missed the victory over the Spiders having limped off against Dunfermline a fortnight ago, but hopefully we’ll see him return to the squad ahead of the match. Iain Wilson is likely still a bit away from a return.
One player who’ll hope for a starting berth will be Jack Bearne, who was excellent in a rare start last weekend and should be looking to build on his fine performance if given the opportunity against Airdrie.
I’d expect Kirk Broadfoot to continue in defence over Darragh O’Connor, but it is nice to have some options again.
Current Connections
There are no former Airdrie players in the Morton squad, but three in the Diamonds’ camp.
Lewis McGregor joined then-League One Airdrie in last year’s January transfer window from Morton, helping them to promotion via the play-offs and netting a winner at Cappielow earlier in the season.
Charlie Telfer is another former ‘Ton man who found his way to New Broomfield, having endured the 2018-19 campaign under Raymond McKinnon and Jonatan Johansson. He would only spend one season at Cappielow before re-joining McKinnon, now managing League One minnows Falkirk, who he had helped relegate with his strike in Morton’s 2-0 win late in that season, leaving Falkirk in League One for 5 (five) seasons before winning The World’s Tallest Dwarf competition this season, so congratulations to them.
Telfer joined up at Airdrie at the start of last season, and like McGregor helped the Diamonds to promotion via the play-offs, helping them destroy former club Falkirk 7-2 on aggregate in the play-off semi-final, en route to the Championship, and leaving League One so weak that even Falkirk couldn’t make a mess of it fifth time around.
Airdrie’s veteran reserve keeper David Hutton spent the 2012-13 season as Derek Gaston’s understudy at Cappielow, making only three appearances.
Tale of the Tape
This is the fifth meeting of the teams, and it’s fair to say there’s not been much between them in any of the previous four.
Airdrie took the spoils from their first two trips to Cappielow this season, with Lewis McGregor enjoying his return to Greenock by notching the winner against a depleted Morton in the season’s first league meeting that left Dougie Imrie’s side rooted to the foot of the table.
Seven weeks later, the Diamonds would return to Cappielow on SPFL Trust Trophy duty, and were to weather quite a storm as a Morton side whose injury worries were gradually beginning to clear put in a fine performance, particularly in the second half, but did everything but find the net before bowing out of the competition after Josh Rae stopped Lewis McGrattan’s spot kick to send Airdrie through in a shoot-out.
Morton’s visit to Monklands just before Christmas was a dull affair as Morton, again depleted thanks to the suspension of George Oakley following his red card against Queen’s Park the previous week, held out for a goalless draw. While it wasn’t pretty, there were few in the Morton support who were terribly upset on an afternoon that the visitors very much gained a point rather than dropped two.
The most recent meeting of the sides six weeks ago was a much more eventful afternoon. A bad-tempered affair burst into life after only four minutes as Airdrie defender Aaron Taylor-Sinclair clattered into Robbie Crawford after only four minutes, leaving the Morton midfielder requiring treatment, with the Airdrie defender receiving only a yellow card from hapless referee Euan Anderson.
When the actual football took centre stage, Morton took the lead thanks to a fine breakaway goal, as Oakley nodded home at the far post from a fine Jai Quitongo cross, and Michael Garrity added a second with a fantastic volley from what looked a suspiciously offside position on first viewing.
With Morton comfortably in front, their season took a turn for the worse, as Taylor-Sinclair, lucky to be on the park in the view of this completely unbiased observer, landed a dull one on Oakley, ruling Morton’s talisman out for around a month, which coincided with a disappointing dip in form.
A late goal from Airdrie assistant boss Callum Fordyce reduced the arrears, but Morton held on for the win, albeit at a cost.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Opposition Analysis
Since that defeat at Cappielow, things have looked up for Airdrie, although it would be fair to say that like most of us, they’ve lacked consistency.
They bounced back immediately from that defeat by inflicting a shock, but convincing defeat on Dundee United, and a less surprising one on a still toiling Dunfermline at East End Park. There have however been dropped points against Inverness and most recently Ayr in last weekend’s televised defeat at Somerset Park, with Airdrie surrendering a first half lead to fall to the Honest Men. They have of course enjoyed two recent victories over League One-bound Arbroath, and a fine SPFL Trust Trophy success over Welsh Champions The New Saints, delivering Rhys McCabe’s first trophy of his impressive Airdrie reign.
With Airdrie going into the match two points clear of Morton following Tuesday’s Gayfield success, and both teams playing their games in hand on the rest in midweek, Saturday’s match will likely have a big impact on where each team finishes in the table.
I asked Airdrie fan Emma Quigley (@emmaq1983) her thoughts going into the match:
“We’ve had a great run of form since Airdrie and Morton last met at Cappielow in what was another competitive game, despite our bad start.
I don’t expect this game to be any different, and like most Championship matches, it’s extremely difficult to call. We don’t have the same defensive woes we had last time around, so I don’t expect a repeat of the first 5-10 minutes at Cappielow, which secured the points for Morton.
We’ve had a heavy run of away fixtures in March with games in hand being played and one still outstanding, but we’ve picked up wins on the road at Dundee United, Dunfermline and Arbroath and drawn with Inverness and Queen’s Park- not forgetting lifting the SPFL Trust Trophy against The New Saints. The only real bump on the road was another loss to Ayr, this season’s bogey team.
Injury wise, we still have midfielders Murray Aiken and Luke McStravick, and first choice keeper Josh Rae out long-term, but we saw the return of Lewis McGregor and Gabby McGill at Gayfield in midweek. We also rested a couple of key players, with the younger loanees doing well in tricky conditions.
As for the result? As I said, I expect another tight affair with only a goal or two in it- our home from has been good, so I’m going for a 1-0 or 2-1 Diamonds victory.”
What’s Happening Elsewhere?
With no televised Friday night game, there’s a full Saturday afternoon card, with two of the other games having a particular impact on Morton. I’m afraid we’ll have to swallow a bit of pride and hope for Partick to collect three points against fifth placed Dunfermline, allowing Morton to climb into the play-offs with a win.
Likewise, we’ll have to wish big-spending Raith Rovers against Ayr United in order that the Honest Men are kept at arm’s length.
Dundee United, who came out of last weekend’s encounter with the moneybags Fifers in last week’s top-of-the-table clash unscathed despite the efforts of a thuggish element of Raith’s support, visit Hampden to face a Queen’s Park side who will still have lingering worries about facing a relegation play-off after their defeat at Cappielow last weekend.
Queens’ concerns about the drop will be exacerbated if Inverness manage to register three points against bottom-of-the-pile Arbroath. A victory for the Highlanders would effectively relegate the Red Lichties, leaving a twelve-point gap with only four games remaining and a goal difference of at least 36 goals in Inverness’s favour.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Betting Guide
All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 4th April 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.
Morton are surprisingly favourites going into the match at 11/8, with Airdrie priced at 7/4 and the draw at 9/4.
Morton to score in both halves is 13/5, and Jai Quitongo to score anytime against his favourite other club is 9/4.
Match Officials
Referee- Don Robertson is in the middle of his second Morton match of the season, having ran the rule over the 1-2 League Cup Group Stage defeat by Ross County at Victoria Park back in July.
AR 1- Steven Traynor
AR 2- Ian Hart
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Morton v Queen’s Park – Match Preview
by Russell Gordon
Morton draw the curtain on a month of misery by welcoming Queen’s Park to Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology in the hope of finally ending a run of five defeats in a row against Callum Davidson’s resurgent Spiders.
With the Glasgow side only a point behind Morton, albeit having played a game more, Dougie Imrie will see this as the perfect time to get back to winning ways against a team who have seen an upturn in their fortunes while Morton’s have declined.
Match tickets are available at the below link:
Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com)
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Squad News
The return of George Oakley to the starting XI last weekend was a welcome one for all of us, but it appeared to those watching on the Morton’s talismanic hitman wasn’t fully fit, impinging on his performance in the 0-1 defeat by the Fifers.
Jai Quitongo also returned to the bench and got minutes late on as Morton chased down an equaliser, winning the penalty that Robbie Muirhead failed to convert, and barring any further setbacks, should be included in the squad.
Imrie did point out that Iain Wilson, who has been greatly missed over the last month, has returned to training, but I suspect his return is still a good bit off. What will be of great concern to the Morton boss though will be the injuries to Lewis Strapp and Tyler French, with Strapp hobbling off early in the second half and French forced off late on.
Should the full backs fail to make it, Imrie’s defensive options will be limited to the absolute bare bones, with only Darragh O’Connor, Jack Baird, Kirk Broadfoot and Calum Waters available.
Imrie has intimated that he’s not been happy with the contributions of some however- stating that after knocking his door down to state their case for inclusion, but with options at a premium, what changes are made in forward positions will likely be made by necessity, rather than choice.
Current Connections
Grant Gillespie and Jai Quitongo both spent a couple of successful seasons at Queen’s Park, winning the League Two title in the locked down 2020-21 season, before playing their parts in a second consecutive promotion as the Spiders finished fourth and sneaked up through the play-offs, relegating Dunfermline in the semi-final, before winning a dramatic final against Airdrie to take the Spiders into Scotland’s second tier for the first time since league reconstruction in 1975 saw the leagues extended from only two tiers.
Ryan Mullen made only one appearance for Queens in that title winning season, on loan from Celtic.
There are no former Morton players in the Queen’s Park squad, although two former Morton managers have been involved in the club this term. David Hopkin was working in an advisory role around the time of erstwhile boss Robin Veldman’s departure and prior to Callum Davidson’s appointment. Fans of their Championship rivals may feel a tinge of disappointment that the Spiders opted for the far more accomplished Davidson rather than the former Morton boss, however.
Hopkin’s temporary replacement, all round good guy Anton McElhone, is now in charge of the Academy at Hampden.
Tale of the Tape
Morton have had the better of this season’s encounters, but there’s no hiding from it, it’s made for difficult viewing.
The first meeting took place at a rain-sodden Hampden in October when the flooding was so bad that the vast majority of the Morton support, and even Jack Bearne, couldn’t even get out of Greenock to make the short journey to the National Stadium, but despite other clubs having matches called off later in the season because of travel difficulties, bottom-of-the-table Morton were forced to play the match and emerged with a credible 0-0 draw from a turgid affair. Very much a point gained in the circumstances.
With Morton’s form turning, the ‘Ton recorded their third consecutive league win as Queens, who had recently disposed of the services of Head Coach Veldman amidst a horrid run of results, were put to the sword thanks to an early Robbie Muirhead goal.
Morton were made to fight for their victory though, with George Oakley sent off for a tackle on the halfway line that merited no more than a booking on 40 minutes, before referee Grant Irvine awarded the visitors a ridiculously soft penalty in first half injury time. Thankfully, Ryan Mullen was down quickly enough to smother Ruari Paton’s tame spot-kick.
The Spiders huffed and puffed in the second half without creating anything of substance as Morton’s rearguard effort secured three vital points in difficult circumstances.
Last month’s visit to Hampden was a similar damp squib to the previous visit, as the teams played out an insipid goalless draw, thanks in no small part to an uncharacteristically fine performance from Queens’ custodian Callum Ferrie, his late save from George Oakley’s point-blank effort being the most impressive of his stops on the day.
Queen’s Park’s last victory over Morton was a 2-0 Challenge Cup success at Hampden in September 2016, and they’ve not beaten Morton in the league since April 1962.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Opposition Analysis
There’s a clear correlation between Queens’ improved form in recent months and the arrival of new manager Callum Davidson.
After a start to the league campaign that proved to be very much a false dawn, those in charge at Hampden (or Lesser Hampden/The City Stadium, delete as appropriate) were forced into decisive action as the appointment of Robin Veldman, a Dutch youth coach with no knowledge of lower league Scottish football, and the introduction of a model that relied on kids to compete against experienced pros in a division notorious for its rough-and-tumble nature looked to be sending Queens heading back to League One with a whimper.
The first half of the season only saw victories over fellow strugglers Arbroath and Inverness, but since Davidson’s arrival, things have seen an improvement, with the Spiders currently enjoying a five-match unbeaten run, and one defeat in nine.
While the signing of former Scotland centre-back Danny Wilson attracted the headlines, the arrivals of midfielder Sean Welsh and striker Cillian Sheridan from Inverness have also been successful acquisitions. While the departure of Welsh was bemoaned up north, there were plenty Inverness fans who would have driven the Irish striker down the A9, but three goals since his arrival have helped the Spiders climb the table to a position that now sees them targeting the promotion play-offs, rather than worrying about what’s behind them.
What’s Happening Elsewhere?
The BBC Scotland cameras take a trip to the seaside for the live Friday night action as Ayr United host newly crowned SPFL Trust Trophy winners Airdrie at Somerset Park. While a home win would see Morton going into their match in seventh place, an Airdrie win certainly isn’t a favourable outcome either. Draw please.
We’ll be looking for a favour from bottom-of-the-pile Arbroath against Dunfermline, who I suspect will collect maximum points, making a Morton win all the more important. Partick host Inverness, and with their victory over Morton a few weeks ago cementing their play-off place, a home win to keep Morton further from the bottom end of the table would suit all of a Morton persuasion.
The division’s match of the day, and indeed match of the season, sees league leaders Dundee United host a big-spending Raith Rovers side who must be smelling blood as Jim Goodwin’s stuttering Terrors limps from one poor result to another, a run of form not befitting potential champions. While a home win would see United keep the title in their own hands, I suspect a victory for the moneybags-Fifers may see the axe fall on the beleaguered Tannadice chief- too late in the eyes of many of the United faithful.
After Hamilton spoiled the party last weekend, we’re likely to see a new and not-very-welcome addition to the Championship this weekend as Falkirk need only a draw at Montrose to win the title and promotion from League One at the fifth, yes fifth, attempt. While poking hot needles in the eyes is a more appealing pastime for the learned observer, the match is a 5.30 kick off on BBC ALBA on Saturday night. Not for me.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Betting Guide
All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 28th March 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.
Morton are odds on favourites at 10/11, with Queen’s Park priced at 5/2 and the draw at 5/2.
George Oakley to score the first goal is 43/10 and Morton to win to nil is 9/4.
Match Officials
Referee- Chris Graham takes charge of his first Morton match of the season. He last officiated Morton on the occasion of our devastating 3-3 draw at Dens Park last season that saw the eventual champions salvage a late draw that proved a mortal blow to the ‘Ton’s play-off hopes.
AR 1- Paul O’Neill
AR 2- Calum Doyle
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Morton v Dunfermline Athletic – Match Preview
by Russell Gordon
Morton welcome Dunfermline Athletic to Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology hoping to arrest a run of form that has now stretched to four defeats on the bounce after last Saturday’s defeat to Partick at Firhill.
With the Pars’ form having improved since their East End Park mauling by Morton last month, Dougie Imrie’s side will be well aware of the threat James McPake’s side pose as the push for the promotion play-offs gathers pace, while both will also have a look over their shoulders for what’s going on further down the table.
Match tickets are available at the below link:
Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com)
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Squad News
How Imrie will choose to line up is anyone’s guess. Having named an unchanged side in terms of personnel for the visit to Firhill, the decision to operate Tyler French in a holding midfield role, allowing Darragh O’Connor to go out to right back didn’t really work, and I’d expect to see French returned to his more natural right back position, or at least operating as a wing back in a back five.
While all Morton fans are crossing their fingers for the return of George Oakley from injury, the loss of Iain Wilson has been just as critical, and the schedule for his return is also unknown, but expected to be later than that of the frontman.
Jai Quitongo may also sit out, but it’s more of a surprise when he makes a squad these days, such is his misfortune.
Imrie could look to drop one of Alan Power or Grant Gillespie, more likely the latter, to the bench, such was the more encouraging displays of Michael Garrity and Jack Bearne in particular on their introductions last weekend.
One would expect Robbie Muirhead to again plough a lone furrow up front in Oakley’s absence, hopefully with Robbie Crawford, whose impact was somewhat stifled last weekend, getting up to support.
Current Connections
There are no former Morton players in the Dunfermline squad, with only manager James McPake having tasted the honour of pulling on the famous blue-and-white hoops, during a largely forgettable loan-spell from Livingston back in 2006.
In the home camp, Robbie Muirhead endured a difficult time in Fife, having spent the majority of the 2018-19 season at East End Park and failing to find the net in twelve appearances. His relative success in his time at Cappielow must have proved frustrating to the Pars support who saw their side relegated while Muirhead prospered on Dougie Imrie’s arrival at Morton in 2022.
Iain Wilson spent a year and a half at Dunfermline before being lured to Cappielow for his first spell at Morton shortly after the arrival of Imrie, finding the net for Morton as they visited the Fifers in a 1-1 East End Park draw that proved damaging in their attempts to avoid a play-off place at the bottom of the league and ultimately relegation to the third tier.
Tale of the Tape
Morton suffered two defeats in the season’s first two meetings, falling behind early on both occasions.
In the first meeting in Fife, An 8th minute Craig Wighton goal gave the Pars the lead before Lewis McCann doubled their advantage after 27 minutes. On a day that anything that could go wrong for Morton did, new loan signing Tyler French was taken off injured before his replacement, Darragh O’Connor lasted only seven minutes before suffering the same fate.
Robbie Crawford reduced the arrears late on but with Morton pushing for an equaliser, former St. Johnstone winger Michael O’Halloran added a third to seal the win for Dunfermline at the death.
It was the Owen Moffat show in the opening minutes of Dunfermline’s last visit to Cappielow, with the Celtic loanee netting only 17 seconds into the game, before adding a second on seven minutes.
On a night that frustrations really came to the fore in front of the BBC Scotland cameras, Wilson was seen to express his ire at the boss on his first half substitution, while Kirk Broadfoot exchanged angry words with sections of the support with Morton trailing.
A more spirited second half performance saw Steven Boyd convert a late penalty, but Morton ran out of time to source what in truth would have been a scarcely deserved equaliser.
But it was a much happier story last time around, with Morton recording their most convincing victory of the season, smashing five past an injury-ravaged Dunfermline side who simply couldn’t cope with Morton’s high press. This was big-bad-physical-Morton operating at their best.
Doubles for centre backs Darragh O’Connor and Jack Baird put Morton in easy street before Michael Garrity added a fifth against a Dunfermline side who were admittedly appalling on the day, having been totally overran in midfield and having failed to deal with Lewis Strapp’s long throws all afternoon.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Opposition Analysis
Things have improved for Dunfermline since that East End Park horror show, although they also suffered another chastening defeat to Queen’s Park the following week, while a home draw with League One-bound Arbroath was definitely seen as two points dropped, rather than a point gained.
Perhaps the turning point for them though, was their visit to Firhill to face Partick. The Pars recorded a 3-1 win, but few, even this observer, would suggest they weren’t the beneficiaries of favourable refereeing decisions, with Brian Graham having two goals ruled out for offside. It was Brian Graham though, so we’ll overlook it.
The Pars followed that up with four points from games against Inverness and Ayr, but then suffered defeat to Airdrie in a rearranged fixture before losing for the fifth time this season to their big-spending Fife rivals, Raith Rovers.
They did however, assist their moneybags neighbours last week by beating Dundee United 3-1 at East End Park, thanks in no small part to two goals and an assist from Kane Ritchie-Hosler.
It’s noticeable from that 5-0 victory that of Dunfermline’s newly signed central defensive pairing who played that day, Cardiff loanee Malachi Fagan-Walcott seems to have settled into the Pars team, even bagging goals against Arbroath and Partick, while his compatriot from the Welsh capital, Xavier Benjamin, has barely seen any action in recent weeks.
What’s Happening Elsewhere?
There are only four Championship matches this weekend, with Partick hoping to follow up their victory over Morton by putting another nail into Arbroath’s coffin.
Ayr host Queen’s Park at Somerset Park in a game that anything other than a home victory would be acceptable, but a draw preferable.
Inverness, still smarting from Highland Council’s decision to reject their planning permission application for a battery farm, visit Tannadice to face league leaders Dundee United, charged with the task of dragging themselves from the relegation play-off place, with the hosts hoping to be energized by big-spending Raith Rovers’ failure to capitalise on their aberration last weekend.
The far-from-frugal-Fifers sit out this weekend, with scheduled opponents Airdrie taking part in this season’s SPFL Trust Trophy Final against Welsh champions The New Saints in Grangemouth. Choosing between Airdrie winning the cup or Declan McManus winning it is quite a dilemma!
We could see a new addition to the Championship this weekend. With League One minnows Falkirk currently sitting 17 points clear of second placed Hamilton, a win for them over already relegated Edinburgh City, coupled with second-placed Hamilton failing to defeat Cove Rangers in Aberdeen, will see them crowned as League One champions at the fifth attempt. I’m sure we will delight in congratulating them, look forward to them visiting Cappielow and enjoy journeys to Grangemouth next term. It’s been a while, after all.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Betting Guide
All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 21st March 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.
Morton are listed as favourites at 11/10, with an away win priced at 11/5 and the draw at 23/10.
Robbie Muirhead to net at least twice against his former employers is 5/1 and Morton to win without conceding is 13/5.
Match Officials
Referee- Steven McLean takes charge of his third Morton game of the season, having been in the middle of our 3-0 League Cup Group stage win over Stranraer and our 0-0 draw with Queen’s Park at Hampden last month.
AR 1- David Dunne
AR 2- Cameron Telfer
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Partick Thistle v Morton – Match Preview
by Russell Gordon
With Morton’s adventures in the Scottish Cup over for another year after Monday night’s gallant performance against Premiership heavyweights Hearts proved to be in vain, it’s back to the league for Dougie Imrie’s men, and an important match against our good friends Partick at Firhill.
With our hosts on a poor run of form, having now gone eight matches without a victory after Tuesday night’s defeat to big-spending Raith Rovers, Imrie’s side will themselves look to get back on the saddle by recording their first win of the season against our friends from Glasgow.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Squad News
Monday’s change in formation against Hearts worked relatively well under the circumstances, but it could be argued that a less ambitious approach was required against more formidable opposition than Morton are usually exposed to.
Imrie could again revert to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, with two of Michael Garrity, Lewis McGrattan or Jack Bearne coming into the team, assuming Jai Quitongo will again be out, as his nightmare season again saw him forced out of the cup quarter final.
While long-term casualty Iain Wilson will certainly miss out, the match will also likely come too soon for George Oakley, and such is the English striker’s importance to Morton, Imrie will be wary of rushing him back for fear of risking a further set-back.
Ryan Mullen, although still sporting heavy strapping on Monday night, certainly looked more like himself against the Jambos, having visibly struggled, particularly with his kicking against Dundee United.
Should he revert back to his preferred formation, I’d expect Kirk Broadfoot to take his place on the bench, possibly alongside Grant Gillespie.
Current Connections
The only former Morton player in the Partick squad is club captain Brian Graham, who started his career at Cappielow, struggling to establish himself in the first team as a young player before leaving in 2011 to embark on a somewhat nomadic career, and finally making himself at home at Firhill.
Young striker Ricco Diack’s dad Iain, had a somewhat uneventful spell at Morton in 2004-05, failing to find the net in one start and three substitute appearances.
In the Morton squad, Robbie Muirhead is about as popular with the Partick fans as Graham is with the Morton support. Muirhead had a brief loan spell at Firhill in the second half of the 2015-16 season, scoring twice in eight appearances.
Robbie Crawford spent the 2021-22 season in Glasgow before making the move to Morton following his surprise release at the end of that season, while Jai Quitongo also had a short spell at Firhill, leaving Morton after his contract expired in 2018, but moving onto Iranians Machine Sazi after only a few months.
Tale of the Tape
It doesn’t make for good reading. Morton’s early season frailties were exposed in a Cappielow horror show in early September. Having taken an early lead through a terrific Robbie Muirhead free kick, the loss of Robbie Crawford after 20 minutes proved the turning point in a game that most of us would rather forget.
Steven Lawless restored parity before half time, and things fell to pieces for Morton with 20 minutes remaining as Brian Graham took great delight in netting twice in a minute against his favourite club. There was still time for Harry Milne to receive his marching orders, but even with only ten men, Tomi Adeloye put the icing on Partick’s cake by adding a fourth to make for a thoroughly miserable afternoon for the hosts.
It wasn’t much fun at Firhill in November, either. With Morton enduring a horrible run at the time, they fell behind to an early Kerr McInroy strike. Though things looked bleak at that point, Morton grew into the game and Grant Gillespie equalised from the spot after 32 minutes.
Things were to again fall apart for Morton as the game reached its latter stages, though. Only Morton could see an opposing player red-carded but not see the benefit of them being reduced to ten men, as Brian Graham was given his marching orders for a despicable gesture towards the Morton support, who had merely shown concern for his wellbeing following an uncharacteristically quiet performance, for which he had been substituted.
Of course, as was Morton’s luck at the time, Blair Alston notched a fortuitous winner for the Glasgow side, as Graham stormed out the tunnel to carry on his completely unprovoked tirade at the innocent Morton fans. Fortunately, nobody was harmed.
With things looking up in January, Morton were forced to settle for a draw. After Robbie Crawford’s early goal was ruled offside, the hosts took the lead after half an hour thanks to an own goal from Jack McMillan.
Again though, it was a late show from Partick, with Ricco Diack coming off the bench to score an admittedly fine equaliser for Partick to ensure a share of the spoils.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Opposition Analysis
As I noted earlier, Partick aren’t enjoying their finest run of the season- though unfortunately, neither are Morton. They would have been disappointed not to at least collect a point from big-spending Raith Rovers on Tuesday night after dominating much of the game, but a first half Euan Murray header sent the points back to deepest, darkest Kirkcaldy with the moneybags Fifers.
While goals haven’t been too difficult to come by in recent weeks, despite Tuesday’s blank, they’ve been leaking goals at an alarming rate. Having failed to win since their excellent Scottish Cup win in Dingwall, they’ve been knocked out the cup by Premiership strugglers Livingston, shipping a 2-0 lead to lose 2-3 after extra time, and conceded four goals to Ayr, three goals to Inverness and Dunfermline, a couple to Queen’s Park and one to Airdrie, Dundee United and big-spending Raith Rovers, only managing to collect draws against Airdrie, Inverness, Dundee United and Queens.
The goalkeeper position has proved problematic, with Jamie Sneddon out for at least the medium term. Veteran former Stranraer custodian David Mitchell has the jersey just now, after Ross Stewart had a horrid couple of games, conceding seven in two games against Dunfermline and Ayr before losing his spot.
However, with a three-pronged attack of Graham, Lawless and Aidan Fitzpatrick, it’s perhaps a relief that Morton’s recent injury woes haven’t really extended to the back line.
With Partick having scored more goals, but not much between the clubs in terms of goal difference, a victory by two or more goals would take Morton above Partick in the table into third.
What’s Happening Elsewhere?
The weekend’s action kicks off with leaders Dundee United’s Friday night visit to Dunfermline for the BBC Scotland match. With United over the hill and far away from Morton at this point, there would be no complaints her if they were to keep the Pars at arm’s length from the ‘Ton.
Morton’s nearest challengers for the final play-off place, Airdrie host bottom-of-the-table Arbroath, who even after their fantastic comeback win over big-spending Raith Rovers didn’t find themselves any better off following Inverness’s victory at Cappielow. By all accounts, the Red Lichties’ display at Tannadice last weekend was absolutely appalling, so don’t hold your breath for any favours, there.
Inverness will be looking to climb out of the relegation play-off place by beating Ayr United in the Highlands, which would leave Scott Brown’s men staring down the barrel, while big-spending Raith Rovers have their second trip of the week to Glasgow to face Queen’s Park at Hampden. A draw between Thistle and Ayr and a win for the profligate Kirkcaldy side would do just nicely.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Betting Guide
All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 14th March 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.
Partick are clear favourites to end their barren run of results at 23/20, while Morton are priced at a generous 19/10, with the draw at 5/2.
Robbie Muirhead is 7/1 to score the opening goal of the game, while the draw at half time and Morton at full time is 6/1.
Match Officials
Referee- Dan McFarlane takes charge of his first Morton game since we beat big-spending Raith Rovers 1-0 at Cappielow in the third last game of last season.
AR 1- Frank Connor
AR 2- Robin Taylor
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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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Craig and Darren discuss the end of Morton's 16 match unbeaten run with defeats to Inverness Caledonian Thistle & Dundee United.
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Morton v Dundee United – Match Preview
by Russell Gordon
All good things must come to an end, and with Morton’s magnificent run of sixteen matches without defeat being halted by relegation-threatened Inverness on Saturday, league leaders Dundee United visit Cappielow Park Supported by Dalrada Technology hoping to keep their faltering chase to the finish line on track.
With injuries building up, Dougie Imrie will be looking for an improved performance as his side attempt to get back on the saddle with a positive result against the title favourites.
Match tickets are available at the below link:
Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com)
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Squad News
As we enter a crucial stage of the season, Imrie doesn’t have his problems to seek. Jamie MacDonald, not fully fit himself, is likely to continue in deputising between the sticks for Ryan Mullen, while long term casualty Iain Wilson will again sit out, after Imrie intimated prior to the Inverness match that his season could be over.
Jai Quitongo again missed out the Inverness defeat only four games since he returned from his last injury setback. One can only hope that he’s not broken down again in his attempts to reach full fitness, as his injury-ravaged season takes another blow.
Also likely to sit out is George Oakley, whose return can’t come soon enough, with Morton looking a completely different team without their talisman, after his rib injury sustained against Airdrie just over a week ago.
Jack Bearne will hope for a starting berth after an encouraging cameo on Saturday, with Michael Garrity and Lewis McGrattan not making the best of their opportunities.
Current Connections
There are two Morton players who have represented the Terrors, both briefly. Robbie Muirhead signed on at Tannadice on transfer deadline day at the end of January 2015, for a £150,000 fee from Kilmarnock, only making fifteen appearances and scoring twice, against Aberdeen and Inverness towards the end of that season. He went on to sign on loan for Partick on the next transfer deadline day, before returning to Tayside in January 2016. He was released in April, signing for Hearts a couple of months later.
Grant Gillespie had an even shorter spell in the City of Discovery, joining from Hamilton in January 2018 and making only six appearances as United missed out on the Championship title to St. Mirren and lost to Livingston in the play-off semi-final. That summer he moved to League of Ireland side, Derry City.
United right back Liam Grimshaw spent last season at Cappielow following his release from Motherwell in the summer of 2022. After a slow start to his Morton career, he became a firm favourite with the ‘Ton support, eventually being awarded the club’s Player of the Year following an excellent campaign that saw Morton just miss out on a place in the promotion play-offs, before signing up at Tannadice in the summer.
A familiar face in the United backroom staff is Andy Bryan, a lifelong Morton fan who spent most of his working life at Cappielow, fulfilling a multitude of roles from ballboy to kitman in over forty years serving the club before being relieved of his duties in the dark old days of Dave MacKinnon and David Hopkin.
Tale of the Tape
With this evening’s game being re-arranged from December, Morton have twice visited Tannadice this season without yet reciprocating United’s hospitality.
The two visits have of course proven fruitful for our own favourites, garnering four points from six. In September, with Morton suffering a stuttering start to the campaign, they fell behind to an early Louis Moult header, but in a game marred by yet another horrific refereeing performance from Scotland’s most appalling Grade One official David Munro, Robbie Muirhead latched onto a mix-up between former St. Mirren defender Declan Gallagher and United’s on-loan goalkeeper Jack Walton to claim a point in unlikely circumstances.
United could point to a penalty appeal that wasn’t spotted by the hapless official and weren’t happy with the ordering off of Matthew Cudjoe for an elbow on Calum Waters, but when footage was released, the referee’s assistant was proven correct in alerting Munro. No, I’m not giving him any credit for coming to the right decision for a change.
Morton’s visit in January was one of those afternoons that will live long in the memory of many of those who travelled to Tannadice from the west, and George Oakley in particular. After the suspended Robbie Muirhead had bagged a perfect hat-trick the previous midweek against Ayr United, Oakley was not to be outdone, rising majestically to nod Michael Garrity’s pinpoint cross into the net to give Morton a 25th minute lead. His right-footed effort nine minutes later doubled the visitors’ advantage, before the hosts came roaring back, with headed goals from Kai Fotheringham and Louis Moult sending the teams in level at the break.
With both teams looking for a winner in the second half, things reached boiling point in the 88th minute when Craig Sibbald, formerly of League One minnows Falkirk, was ordered off for a second booking. A minute later, Oakley completed his hat-trick, outmuscling Kevin Holt before lashing a howitzer into Walton’s net via the post to send the visiting support into raptures.
Morton held on to record a fine victory, leaving the hosts to lick their wounds and under-pressure United boss Jim Goodwin to scramble for excuses for his own failings by blaming every party but himself for Morton’s shock victory. More of the same would be nice this evening!
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Opposition Analysis
Despite their lofty position in the table, all in not well on Tayside. The cups haven’t been kind to Goodwin, who followed up his Scottish Cup defeat to Darvel that pushed him towards the Pittodrie exit door by going out of the League Cup in the group stages after a headline-grabbing defeat to Spartans, before going out the other two cup competitions to League One minnows Falkirk and Queen of the South.
The league hasn’t been straightforward, either. With big-spending Raith Rovers on their coattails, and a late defeat to the moneybags Fifers last month, United have failed to exert their authority on the title race with only one win in four leaving them only a point clear, despite Murray’s Moneymen’s not-at-all-funny defeat by bottom of the table Arbroath on Friday night.
I spoke to Gary Manson of the Shed 57 Dundee United Supporters’ Club (@Shed_57), who gave me his thoughts going into the game.
“They say the league table doesn’t lie- but someone forgot to tell the United fans that. Despite being top, a point clear of Raith, whose stunning capitulation at Gayfield last Friday night allowed United to carve out the narrowest of breathing spaces with a turgid draw at Firhill on Saturday- the Arabs are far from happy.
United conceded early on Saturday- an Aidan Fitzpatrick corner headed home by long term nemesis Brian Graham had Partick ahead after only three minutes and the remainder of the first half was pretty dire from the men in green. Jim Goodwin was on the receiving end of torrents of abuse from the visiting fans occupying the main stand at half time.
A decent finish from Louis Moult in the second half restored parity, earned a point that looked unlikely at half time and took some of the mounting pressure off Goodwin’s shoulders.
There are probably more questions than answers for Goodwin- a season that looked really positive before Christmas until a 0-1 home defeat to title challengers Raith caused United to unravel.
Grim home defeats to Morton and most recently to a very ordinary Airdrie side, and another poor result in Kirkcaldy, have caused anger amongst the Tannadice faithful- mostly directed at Goodwin, and have left the United fans looking over their shoulders.
This is United’s first trip of the season to the Tail o’ the Bank, with the fixture falling foul of the weather in December. Goodwin has made a series of changes to his starting eleven in recent games as he searches for a winning formula. Young Miller Thomson has been thrown in at right back in place of ex-Morton man Liam Grimshaw, Interestingly, Goodwin’s other option at right back, Kieran Freeman has moved onto St. Patrick’s Athletic, having seen few opportunities during the Tannadice boss’s year in charge.
Thomson was one of the few players to get pass marks against Airdrie last midweek, but he struggled in the first half against Aidan Fitzpatrick’s physicality at Firhill but looked more comfortable when moved into midfield following Kai Fotheringham’s replacement with
Grimshaw. Dougie Imrie will have an eye on United’s right back selection On Tuesday night as a chance to exploit a potential weakness.
Kevin Holt and Declan Gallagher are pretty sound centre halves but in contrast to earlier this season, United are losing goals and George Oakley will have fond memories of his Tannadice hat-trick, though Gallagher sat out that particular game through injury.
The return of Ross Docherty against his former club at the weekend added much-needed dig to the midfield. The captain lasted 70 minutes before being replaced and the United fans will hope he remains injury free as we head into the business end of the season.
Kai Fotheringham, who was scoring regularly earlier in the season, hasn’t hit the net since that defeat to Morton at Tannadice in early January and looks a player short on confidence. Craig Sibbald has been dependable in the middle of the park and has good energy and a high work rate.
United’s lack of depth was cruelly exposed last Tuesday though, when Goodwin opted for a 4-3-3 and handed starting berths to Chris Mochrie and Archie Meekison. Neither repaid Goodwin’s faith, with both turning in poor performances as United failed to dominate and deservedly lost the match.
St. Mirren loanee Alex Grieve has had several opportunities since his arrival in January but is yet to find the scoresheet and has failed to impress thus far. He does cover a lot of ground but looks to lack a footballing brain and missed a sitter at Firhill on Saturday, which is unlikely to boost his confidence.
Another player who is struggling with confidence is Glenn Middleton. Often in space out wide, a combination of frequent inside passes and stray crosses have marginalised his contribution.
Former Steelman Louis Moult leads the United line and added to his goal tally for the season on Saturday, but injuries have prevented him featuring as prominently as he, and the United fans would have liked.
The Terrors looked much better on Saturday when Tony Watt was introduced for the second half. Watt has been frustrating this season. He often falls out of games, but if United are to get over the title line, and return to the top division, they could come to rely on the experienced striker’s contribution.
Overall, the situation at Tannadice is a strange one- league leaders, but unconvincingly so. A win at Cappielow would put clear daylight between United and Raith, and would ease the pressure a little on the embattled Goodwin- defeat, and the critics and detractors will simply become louder.”
Photo - GBR Photographs.
What’s Happening Elsewhere?
There’s one other re-arranged fixture this evening, with Airdrie visiting East End Park for a twice-postponed fixture that coincidentally was called off as Dunfermline were enduring an injury crisis and a poor run of form.
Thankfully for the Pars, with things beginning to look up, the game can go ahead, and if the teams could draw to cancel each other out that would be just lovely.
With nothing else going on in the Championship, we’ll venture down to League One, though not for as long as Falkirk have, as the Bairns continue their quest to make it fifth time lucky against Cove Rengers in Aberdeen.
In League Two, the league’s two newest clubs meet at New Dundas Park, as Bonnyrigg Rose host Spartans, while Stranraer, in danger of being sucked into a battle with Clyde to avoid the relegation play-off place, host Dumbarton.
On Thursday, Scotland’s last remaining European representatives Rangers, visit the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon to face Portuguese big-hitters Benfica. I’m sure we all wish them well. Or perhaps not.
Betting Guide
All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 4th March 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.
United go into the match as overwhelming favourites at 10/11, with Morton priced at 14/5 and the draw at 23/10.
Robbie Muirhead is 9/1 to score the first goal, and Morton to get back to their miserly best at the back with a clean sheet is 3/1.
Match Officials
Referee- Lloyd Wilson takes charge of his second Morton match of the season, having previously taken charge of the re-arranged 2-1 victory over Inverness at Cappielow in December.
AR 1- Graham McNeillie
AR 2- Michael MacDermid
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Morton v Inverness Caledonian Thistle – Match Preview
by Russell Gordon
Off the back of Morton’s draw in Kirkcaldy against the league’s second top side, Dougie Imrie’s Morton welcome the league’s second bottom team to Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology with the visit of an Inverness Caledonian Thistle side who have struggled to drag themselves from danger despite some encouraging signs when the ex-Scotland striker took the reins in September.
Having picked up four points from six this week, another three would see the ‘Ton extend their unbeaten run to an incredible seventeen matches!
Match tickets are available at the below link:
Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com)
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Squad News
After enjoying a relatively lengthy period without too many injuries, they’re beginning to stack up again for Imrie’s team.
Ryan Mullen sat out of Tuesday night’s draw and was replaced by Jamie MacDonald, who himself wasn’t fully fit, but turned in a solid performance in the kingdom, though he was well protected by his backline.
Likewise, George Oakley was forced onto the sidelines after Aaron Taylor-Sinclair’s appalling foul last Saturday. Robbie Muirhead returned to the team, although he didn’t look his usual self, and Jai Quitongo up top through the middle didn’t really work, whether due to Quitongo’s own lack of fitness or how uncomfortable he was in the role is up for debate.
Iain Wilson’s withdrawal on Tuesday was another massive blow, and the sight of him limping from the pitch wasn’t a pleasant one, although Grant Gillespie filled in admirably on his introduction.
With Imrie needing to manage minutes with Morton’s hectic schedule, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Michael Garrity or Lewis McGrattan getting a starting berth, depending on the health and fitness of Muirhead and Quitongo.
Current Connections
After the recent departure of Steven Boyd, there are two former Thistle players in the Morton squad. Kirk Broadfoot enjoyed a season in the Highlands, playing his part in helping them to the Premiership play-off final, where they lost 6-2 on aggregate to St. Johnstone, before moving closer to home by signing for Lowland League Open Goal Broomhill and moving back up the pyramid to Morton as the plug was pulled on the fifth-tier side by their backers.
George Oakley spent the first half of last season at Inverness, though an alleged difficult relationship with Billy Dodds soured his time in the north, and Dougie Imrie took his former Hamilton teammate to Cappielow in a move that has certainly suited Oakley and Morton.
Dougie Imrie of course, had a two-year spell at the Caledonian Stadium from 2010-12, before moving to St. Mirren and then Morton in 2013.
Inverness defender Wallace Duffy briefly joined Morton on loan from St. Johnstone in 2020, but left without playing a match after he was offered a permanent deal up north which suited Duffy and the Saints better than a temporary move to Cappielow.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Tale of the Tape
The teams have met twice this season, with Morton collecting four points so far. Off the back of the victory over Arbroath at Gayfield in December that kicked off Morton’s terrific unbeaten run, they dragged themselves off the foot of the Championship with a 2-1 midweek victory at Cappielow, in a match that was re-arranged from October. George Oakley pounced on a horrific error from Thistle defender Nikola Udjur to caress the ball into Mark Ridgers’ net. Jack Baird doubled the ‘Ton’s advantage by getting on the end of a mammoth Lewis Strapp throw in to lash home.
A late Adam Brooks header made for a nervy ending, but Morton held on to kick start their season at long last.
Later that month, while other clubs (including Inverness, whose game at Cappielow was postponed due to non-existent travel difficulties) weren’t asked to travel up and down the A9 in supposedly treacherous weather conditions, Morton and their fans weren’t extended such a courtesy, but secured a 0-0 draw from a fairly turgid affair in pretty foul conditions to maintain an unbeaten run which by that point had reached five games.
Opposition Analysis
Inverness are having a miserable time of it this season. After a slow start to the season, Billy Dodds, who had been given an extended contract off the back of their somewhat fortunate run to last season’s Scottish Cup final, was emptied to make way for Duncan Ferguson. That appointment saw an immediate reaction, with a 3-2 win at Gayfield taking them off the foot of the table at the expense of Morton and propelling them to a run of six unbeaten in the league before a narrow late defeat by big-spending Raith Rovers.
Ferguson brought in free agents David Wotherspoon and Cillian Sheridan, with differing levels of success, resulting in both moving on- Wotherspoon to Dundee United, while Sheridan was released after a disappointing spell in the Highlands, eventually signing for Queen’s Park.
They’ve also had their struggles off the pitch. After plans for a proposed battery farm on land owned by the club were approved earlier this month by Highland Council, the plans are now under review, which with massive losses year on year, was seen as a solution to addressing their financial woes, but has now left them in limbo until a decision is reached.
Results since Christmas have been underwhelming, and coupled with the improved form of Ayr, Queen’s Park and Dunfermline in recent weeks, they’ve been left in the play-off place at the foot of the table, albeit seven points clear of Arbroath.
A Scottish Cup exit to Hibernian has halted any chance of a repeat of last year’s cup run, and left only one Championship club in the competition at this late stage of the season. And since then, three draws haven’t done much to lift them up the table, although a last gasp Cameron Harper equaliser at Gayfield last weekend struck a hammer blow to the Red Lichties’ survival hopes, keeping their relegation rivals at arm’s length
Photo - GBR Photographs.
What’s Happening Elsewhere?
Speaking of Arbroath, the BBC cameras visit Angus for the visit of big-spending Raith Rovers, an evening that the hosts will be looking forward to with a massive sense of trepidation after shipping six appalling goals to Queen’s Park in a midweek Hampden rout.
On Saturday, the Spiders visit Airdrie in a game that any of a Morton persuasion would accept a draw from, although those with a more direct interest will be looking for a result to provide a cushion from the drop rather than catch the ‘Ton in the play-off places.
It’s a similar scenario at East End Park, where Dunfermline host Ayr United. After collecting four points from their last two games, a win for the Pars would prove an excellent week’s work, while also damaging our nearest challengers’ hopes of catching Morton.
The division’s match of the day takes place at Firhill, where a wounded Dundee United will hope to recover from their shock midweek defeat by Airdrie by maintaining their fine league record against Partick this season. With big-spending Raith likely to be topping the table going into the match, the pressure will be on the Terrors, and one can only hope they stand up to it, allowing Morton to take advantage with a win to move into third.
Betting Guide
All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 29th February 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.
Morton are clear favourites at 4/5, with Inverness priced at 31/10 and the draw at 12/5.
Grant Gillespie to score the final goal of the game is 8/1 and Morton to win without conceding is 2/1.
Match Officials
Referee- Graham Grainger takes charge of his second Morton match of the season, having been in the middle of our 1-2 defeat by Dunfermline at Cappielow in November.
AR 1- Craig Ferguson
AR 2- Scott Bunting
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Hal’s Heroes- Morton’s Greatest Ever Season
By Russell Gordon
As we’re all aware by now, 2024 is a year of celebration of all things Morton, as the club celebrates its 150th anniversary.
But with so many ups and downs to look back on over those years, it would be remiss of me not to wax lyrical about what was perhaps the greatest individual campaign in Morton’s 150 years of unbroken history.
After the relative highs of the 1940s, which peaked with a narrow Scottish Cup final replay defeat to Rangers in 1948, Morton dropped to Division Two the following season, before claiming the first of their ten league titles the following year.
Their stay in the top tier wouldn’t last long however, as relegation soon followed in 1952, and so, more than a decade of discontent would follow, with Morton on the outside of Scotland’s top eighteen clubs, looking enviously in.
The nadir of that era was to come in season 1960-61, as the Greenock side finished below such minnows as Albion Rovers, Cowdenbeath, Forfar Athletic and Falkirk- unthinkable these days!
But 1961 saw the arrival of Dundonian, Haldane Stewart to Cappielow- a tobacco salesman who used the skills honed in his trade of choice in his new environment of Scottish football. A man well ahead of his time, Stewart understood that everything had its price, and was a master at his craft.
He took the unusual step of taking over as both Director and Manager of the club, and improvement over the next two years was incredible, with two consecutive third placed finishes, which resulted in Morton missing out of promotion firstly by nine points to Queen of the South, who were a point short of champions Clyde, and then by a single point to East Stirling, who finished six adrift of champions St. Johnstone in those days of two points for a win.
But there were reasons for optimism. Three consecutive defeats late in the season, two of them at the homes of the two promoted teams, had cost Morton their place in the top tier, but were off the back of eight consecutive victories. There was little reason to believe that this Morton team couldn’t challenge in 1963-64.
Having won their final two games of the 1962-63 season, little did anyone at the time know that the club had built the foundations of a winning run of league games that will unlikely never be broken.
But among the many highlights of the first half of the season, Morton’s League Cup campaign provided a glamour that had eluded the fans in the previous twelve years as their side came up against sides who were no longer regular foes, given the club’s lengthy sabbatical from Scotland’s top table. Morton bludgeoned through their group, collecting maximum points from their six matches against Ayr United, Stranraer and Clyde and scoring twenty goals in the process to set up a two-legged quarter final with Motherwell.
A framed, and signed photo of Allan McGraw being held aloft by his jubilant teammates adorns the Cappielow boardroom to this day.
With Morton taking up where they left off in the league, by taking care of League Cup opponents Stranraer and Ayr, as well as Dumbarton, they headed into the first leg at Fir Park with a 100% record for the season. There couldn’t have been too many disappointed Morton fans to see that record go when they emerged with a 0-0 draw to take into the second leg in Greenock, despite the ordering off of Bobby Adamson for retaliation, on what was incredibly, his wedding day! While I certainly hope he was comforted by his new bride later that evening, he didn’t have too long to wait to cheer his mood on the park.
In front of a crowd in the region of 20,000 at Cappielow for the second leg, Alex Byrne gave the hosts an early lead before a second half Adamson goal sparked wild celebrations amongst the Morton faithful as they secured a semi-final meeting with Hibernian at Ibrox the following month.
In the meantime, the league campaign was going along splendidly, with Morton bagging 23 goals across only four games, keeping their impeccable league record intact before their showdown with the Edinburgh side.
It was Adamson who was again on the scoresheet for Morton in the 3rd minute, but Hibs’ Neil Martin levelled the affair after 20 minutes and the teams had to settle for a replay back at Ibrox the following week.
And Morton were to prevail in the replay, thanks to a 64th minute penalty from the talismanic Allan McGraw, to the delight of the majority of the crowd, which saw them through to their first ever League Cup Final, and their first national final of any kind in just over fifteen years. What we’d give for that success rate now.
A 7-1 win over Berwick was excellent preparation for the final meeting with favourites Rangers, but on a day that the burglars of Greenock must only have dreamed of, with all roads leading to Hampden, Morton succumbed in the second half, having missed two gilt-edged chances to open the scoring in the first.
In front of a crowd of 105,907, Jim Forrest helped himself to four and Alex Willoughby one as Rangers ran out 5-0 winners- a result that most observers felt was extremely harsh on a Morton side who continued to attack after falling behind, allowing Rangers to pick them off as they threw caution to the wind.
Any fears that the heavy defeat could derail Morton’s promotion charge were to prove unfounded though, as they followed up their final defeat with a 6-4 win over Forfar and an 8-0 rout of Hamilton Accies, eventually going on a run of twelve wins in a row before kicking off their Scottish Cup campaign with a disappointing draw with Cowdenbeath at Cappielow, before comfortably disposing of the Fifers in the Central Park replay.
The Scottish Cup campaign however, was to be brief, as Morton fell to the other side of the Old Firm- Celtic recording a 3-1 second round victory at Cappielow to leave Morton to concentrate on their promotion charge.
But the following week, on 1st February, it all came to an end. Morton travelled to Bayview for their 24th league game of the season, finally failing to win as East Fife ran out 3-1 winners against the champions elect.
A winning run of 23 matches was remarkable, but an accumulative run of 25 has never been beaten in the history of Scottish football, and was only matched by a Celtic team consisting of a prime Henrik Larsson in 2003-04.
But in that season, Larsson “only” managed to notch a paltry 41 goals in all competitions for the Glasgow giants, not a patch on the 58 goals scored by Morton legend Allan McGraw across the memorable campaign.
Although the modest McGraw was quick to credit the contribution of his teammates, commenting in Graeme Ross’s Morton Greats in 2004,
“Joe Caven made a lot of goals for me, and Bobby Adamson.
Morris Stevenson and Jimmy Wilson take a lot of credit as well. It was a team full of characters. Jimmy Reilly, Jimmy Mallan, Bobby Adamson, Jimmy Wilson. Great Characters.”
But Morton had to get back on track- there was a league to win. The juggernaut continued apace after that blip with three further wins before the visit of Forfar to Cappielow on 29th February, with Morton needing a win to secure promotion to the top flight.
The match programme from Morton's momentous victory that secured promotion on this day sixty years ago.
Things didn’t go according to plan from the off, though. After Jimmy Wilson and Ian Henderson had both gone close in the opening minutes, it was The Loons who took a shock lead through Ewen only six minutes in.
Forfar almost made it two before Henderson and McGraw let chances pass them by and Joe Caven was denied by Forfar keeper, Henderson.
Morton’s pressure paid off just before the half hour mark though, with Hugh Strachan’s strike leaving the stricken Forfar keeper as a mere spectator.
The teams went in level at the break, but the second half couldn’t have been more contrasting, as Morton turned the screw to secure the two points the needed and send the 10,000 crowd celebrating into the Greenock night. But it took until the 69th minute for the ‘Ton to finally get the breakthrough, through Wilson. McGraw added to his impressive tally for the season a minute later. And a minute after that, McGraw doubled his account for the day from the spot to make it 4-1. Not to be outdone by Morton’s star man, Wilson collected his second of the afternoon, before Henderson put the cherry on the cake by adding a sixth. Morton were promoted and the champagne could be uncorked!
Given the nature of the date, there can’t be many clubs that can see it as a landmark date in their club’s history, but this was the date that Morton secured Division One football for the first time since relegation in 1952 and the celebrations could begin. This was to be the eighth time in the league campaign that they notched at least six goals in a game, and to my knowledge the only time a team has ever secured promotion at such an early stage in the history of football in the United Kingdom at least.
By a sad coincidence, as we mark the 60th anniversary of Morton’s incredible feat of 1963-64, we’re also approaching the first anniversary of the sad passing of Allan McGraw, whose death, along with that of Joe Caven, who passed later last year and was a great friend of many a Morton fan who enjoyed their trips to the Highlands in more recent times, was greatly mourned by all connected with Morton. I hope and trust that as their families have looked back on their lives, they’ll take comfort in reminiscing on their incredible achievements that season and appreciate how lauded they are by the Morton support some sixty years on.
Morton's players enjoy a very well deserved lap of honour after securing promotion to the top flight.
After a couple more wins against Stirling and Queen’s Park, which saw the title secured, a run of three consecutive draws against Arbroath, Alloa and Albion Rovers were the only further points that Morton dropped before bringing down the curtain with wins over Cowdenbeath and Raith Rovers.
Morton were knocked out of the end of season Summer Cup in the group stages by Partick Thistle on goal average, as was used to separate teams back in the sixties, but in no way could it have put a dampener on a terrific season.
Their record-breaking campaign saw them collect 67 points in the league, dropping only five across the whole campaign, reach the League Cup Final, win promotion in record breaking time, provide British football’s top goal scorer thanks to Allan McGraw’s 58 strikes and embark on a run of 23 league wins in a row to add to their two from the tail end of the previous season.
To think that with the gulf in resources between the rich and poor in Scottish football since those days, only Celtic have managed to equal such a feat, and nobody has managed to beat it is testament to the achievements of the Morton team of the era.
Those of us who have enjoyed title wins in the modern era will undoubtedly have fond memories of those successes, perhaps particularly the 2003 Third Division title, but no Morton side will ever win a title in such emphatic fashion.
On writing my obituary for Allan McGraw just under a year ago, I concluded by saying that we will never see his like again. The same applies to his teammates.
Bibliography
Greenock Morton 1874-1999, Vincent P Gillen, 1998
Images of Sport- Greenock Morton 1874-1999, Jim Jeffrey, 1999
Morton Greats, Graeme Ross, 2004
Thanks to Leon Mooney for his help in fact checking, and to Chris McNulty for supplying photos.
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Episode 160 - Andy Ritchie Retirement, Airdrieonians and Raith Reaction
By Admin,
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Raith Rovers v Morton – Match Preview
by Russell Gordon
Following a hard-fought victory over Airdrie on Saturday, which took Morton to fifteen games without defeat, it’s straight back into action for Dougie Imrie’s men as they hit the winding little backroad to deepest, darkest Kirkcaldy to face a big-spending Raith Rovers side that have resurrected their title challenge after a couple of recent wins in the last fortnight.
With Imrie having to assess a number of war wounds after Saturday’s bruising encounter against an Airdrie team we were led to believe were the Scottish Championship’s purveyors for beautiful football, the midweek visit to Fife promises to be anything but easy.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Squad News
With Iain Wilson and Robbie Muirhead sitting out of Saturday’s victory, one can only hope that any injuries they were carrying were fairly minor, and we’ll see their returns to the squad for Tuesday. Particularly after George Oakley was forced off on Saturday having taken a dull one on the back from Airdrie defender Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, whose appalling challenge also very nearly saw an early end to Robbie Crawford’s afternoon, and should have seen the Airdrie defender soaking in an early bath before being given the opportunity to target the Morton hitman.
Jai Quitongo and Michael Garrity’s introductions to the team proved positive ones, with Quitongo’s exquisite cross providing Oakley’s opener and Garrity’s fantastic cushioned volley doubling Morton’s early lead. Both will look to continue in the starting line-up, but I expect Imrie will at least manage Quitongo’s minutes, given his injury record this season.
Lewis Strapp was withdrawn after he also took a sore one from Airdrie full back Kanayo Megwa, but his substitution, like Darragh O’Connor’s could be down to being on a booking in an increasingly bad-tempered match.
Current Connections
There are two former Raith players in the Morton squad. Club captain Grant Gillespie spent the 2018-19 season in League One at Stark’s Park, as Raith made the promotion play-offs, losing out to Queen of the South. Jamie MacDonald had a three-year spell in the kingdom following their promotion in 2020, leaving on a free this summer before signing for Morton following Ryan Mullen’s early season injury. After an encouraging start to his Morton career, including a fine performance at Ibrox in the Viaplay Cup, he lost his place to Mullen and hasn’t been seen in the squad for quite some time.
Raith defender Ross Millen is the son of Morton Assistant Manager Andy, who can count the Fifers among his litany of former clubs.
Tale of the Tape
It’s been a while, and a lot has changed in terms of Morton’s fortunes since the clubs last met, but Raith are the only club in the division who boast a 100% record against the ‘Ton, something Dougie Imrie will be desperate to put right.
The first meeting at Stark’s Park on the second day of the season was an eventful affair, with referee David Munro starting the season as he meant to go on with perhaps the worst refereeing performance this observer has ever seen in over thirty years of watching football.
A Morton side struggling for numbers fell behind to Jack Hamilton’s early goal, but it was in the fourteenth minute that Munro decided to take centre stage, awarding Raith a penalty for the most blatant Lewis Vaughan dive (and there’s been a few of them) that you’re ever likely to see. Such was Morton’s luck at the time, Vaughan dispatched the resultant penalty and goaded the furious visiting support as he celebrated extending Raith’s lead.
Three minutes later, Robbie Muirhead reduced the arrears with a bullet header from Lewis McGrattan’s cross from the right, before the hapless referee failed to produce a second booking for Hamilton with Morton going in behind at the break.
Morton took control of the second half and finally got their reward when Robbie Crawford stabbed home an equaliser with twenty minutes remaining, after Munro had again failed to produce a red card, this time for a flying Ross Millen elbow. He did of course, find the time to book eight Morton players.
This was a game that Morton were doomed never to get a result from, though, and Kirk Broadfoot was caught in possession on the halfway line by Callum Smith, who ran on to dispatch the winner, much to the delight of the home crowd.
MacDonald saved an injury time Josh Mullin penalty, but it was to prove no consolation on an afternoon that still leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
Raith’s visit to Greenock on Halloween wasn’t quite the same horror show as Munro’s August howler, but proved relatively straightforward for Raith, as a Morton side struggling at the foot of the table fell to two first half headers from Aidan Connolly, the smallest man on the park.
Iain Wilson got one back for Morton early in the second half, but while playing what was to that date his best game in a Morton jersey since his return to the club, he was surprisingly replaced just after the hour and Morton fell to defeat.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Opposition Analysis
The big-spending Fifers have enjoyed a terrific season. With new ownership arriving in the summer, they’ve taken the club by the scruff of the neck since then, splashing out on infrastructure and their playing squad, and have been rewarded with buy-in from the Kirkcaldy locals, who have turned out in increased numbers to back the new regime. Stark’s Park is now unrecognisable from January and February 2022 when John McGlynn signed rapist ex-Clyde striker David Goodwillie and the club was vilified across Scottish football.
After a blistering start to the season, they’ve clung onto league leaders Dundee United’s coattails thanks in no small part to a plethora of late winners, in home games against Queen’s Park, Inverness and Dunfermline, while also bagging late winners on the road against Inverness and Queen’s Park, as well as at Gayfield. Remarkably, Raith are yet to win a league game by more than a single goal.
But after a difficult month of January, none of those late goals would have felt as good for the Raith fans as Scott Brown’s spectacular strike which secured a late win over the Tannadice club earlier this month.
They’ve been helped by a positive relationship with Dundee, who have done their best to help the Kirkcaldy side in their attempts to deny United the title with the loans of Shaun Byrne, Zak Rudden and now Lee Ashcroft, and a title race that has thus far had its twists and turns can expect a few more yet.
Hopefully the latest twist is a Morton win, leaving Raith boss Ian Murray, whose comments on Morton this season have been somewhat disparaging, with a bit of egg on his face, but regardless, of Tuesday’s result, I suspect our own promotion ambitions may depend on beating the big-spending Fifers at some point later in the season.
What’s Happening Elsewhere?
Theres’ a full midweek card in the Championship, with Ayr and Partick, both smarting from home defeats to the Fife clubs, meeting at Somerset Park. With Morton sitting between both in the table, few would complain if the Honest Men were to get back on track with a win, allowing Morton to go into third by winning in Kirkcaldy, but Ayr failing to collect anything would provide a cushion in our play-off quest.
League leaders Dundee United host Airdrie at Tannadice, and a home win would be just fantastic, while there are a couple of games that could have a massive impact at the bottom of the table.
After conceding an agonisingly late equaliser to Inverness on Saturday, Arbroath really must pick up something against a Queen’s Park side who, despite their recent improvement, certainly aren’t clear of danger just yet.
Inverness meanwhile, host a Dunfermline side that will be buoyed by their surprise, and not-at-all-funny victory over Partick at Firhill. Wins for Dunfermline and Queen’s Park could see a gap being created at the bottom, with Inverness and Arbroath struggling to make up the points to prevent the relegation battle becoming a fight for the right to lose to Montrose in the play-offs, rather than go down automatically.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Betting Guide
All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 26th February 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.
The big-spending Fifers are favourites at even money, with Morton priced at a generous 23/10 and the draw at 12/5.
The draw at half time and Morton at full time is 13/2 and Robbie Crawford to score the first goal is 12/1.
Match Officials
Referee- Steven Kirkland is in the middle of his second Morton match of the season, having taken charge of the 4-1 SPFL Trust Trophy win over Kelty Hearts in October.
AR 1- Paul O’Neill
AR 2- Ian Hart
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(Photo- Greenock Morton FC)
The Greatest Showman- A Tribute to Andy Ritchie
By Russell Gordon
Being a Morton fan younger than 45 has been a hard shift- 36 years without top-flight football, Hugh Scott and administration, dropping to the Third Division, the 2004 collapse, 10-2 at Hamilton, getting knocked out the Scottish Cup by non-league Spartans and losing a League Cup Group Stage game on penalties to League One minnows Falkirk have been among the lowlights in that time.
But what has emphasised Morton’s struggles in that time most has been the tales regaled to us by a generation that were only slightly older than my own about Morton’s adventures in the late seventies and early eighties. For so many barren years to follow such a fantastic period in the club’s history is galling in the extreme.
And while Benny Rooney’s swashbuckling side, which enjoyed five years in the Premier Division, topping the table in late 1979, contained a litany of stars, one of those stars shone brighter than all the rest.
No prizes to anyone who’s ever spent a Saturday afternoon on the steps of the Cowshed for guessing that that man was none other than the mercurial Andy Ritchie, arguably Morton’s greatest ever player, and without doubt, their most gifted.
The young Andy hailed from Glasgow before moving to Bellshill at an early age, and finding himself following his fathers’ favourites, Motherwell in his youth, before joining up on the ground staff at Celtic in 1971 at the age of 15. As was often the case with Celtic’s young talents at the time, he was farmed out to the juniors, enjoying a fruitful spell at Kirkintilloch Rob Roy before signing professional terms at Celtic Park after a couple of years.
But his time at Celtic had more downs than it did ups as, by his own admission, he didn’t live up to expectations in his time on Glasgow’s east end. With Jock Stein not around for a long time after a car crash, Celtic Park perhaps wasn’t what it normally was, and Andy didn’t keep his eye on the prize throughout his time there.
With first team appearances limited, his relationship with Stein becoming strained on the legendary manager’s return and his frustrations reaching boiling point, Benny Rooney used his powers of persuasion to lure the 20-year-old to Cappielow, despite the offer of a four-year deal from Celtic being on the table. To make things better for Morton, Celtic were interested in goalkeeper Roy Baines, and the clubs came to an agreement that Baines would make his way to Parkhead in a deal that saw Andy and £10,000 head west.
While those of us of a slightly younger vintage like to allude to the swap deal between Morton and Dunfermline in 2015 that saw Jim Duffy bring in Ross Forbes in exchange for the hapless Andy Barrowman as one of the greatest swap deals in history, even that doesn’t come close when we consider that Baines returned to Morton on a free in 1979.
Andy debuted in a goalless draw against Clydebank at Cappielow in October 1976, and after scoring in a 1-5 derby defeat at Love Street, scored his first two home goals against Montrose ten days later, including a terrific free kick that was to prove a hallmark of his spell in Greenock.
Unfortunately though, while Morton enjoyed a strong season in the First Division, the title went to Paisley, as a St. Mirren side led by a young(ish) Alex Ferguson took the division by storm, claiming the title in style, with a 6-3 win at Cappielow in the ne’er day derby proving a real highlight for the Buddies.
Morton however, gained a modicum of revenge in the final derby of the season, beating the Saints 3-0 towards the end of the campaign thanks in no small part to a strike from Morton’s star man.
But while many Morton fans’ eyes may have been looking towards their local rivals with envy, they didn’t have to wait too long to enjoy success of their own. With Hearts and Dundee slumming it in the First Division, the two big city clubs were installed as favourites for the two promotion berths, but Morton had other ideas, with the ‘Ton’s 5-3 victory over the Edinburgh side (a scoreline we’d all happily see a repeat of next month) proving a real highlight. Although Andy didn’t score on the day, his performance in putting the Jambos to the sword was, by all accounts, imperious.
The title was eventually secured on a memorable evening in Greenock when Airdrie were dispatched 3-1 and Morton took their place in Scotland’s Premier Division for the first time.
Morton raised the First Division Champions’ flag with the visit on Celtic in August 1978, a match which ended in a 1-2 defeat, but should be remembered for what I believe was Andy Ritchie’s greatest goal for Morton. I’ll caveat by saying that it was before I was born, and that I’ve not seen all of his goals as many weren’t caught on camera, but while there were more celebrated goals, this is a hill I’m prepared to die on.
Just some of Andy's collection of goals for Morton, including his wonderful goal against celtic on the opening day of the 1978-79 season. (Video- Leon Mooney)
Morton would finish seventh in that first season, comfortably clear of relegated Hearts and Motherwell, and boasting Scotland’s top goal scorer and the Scottish Football Writers’ Player of the Year in Andy Ritchie, with 29 goals from 45 appearances.
Andy collects yet another accolade from Morton boss Benny Rooney. (Photo- SNS)
Under normal circumstances, a Scotland call up should have been on the horizon. But alas, international honours were to elude Morton’s talisman. Whether the stigma of being a part-time player, the fact that he represented an unfashionable club, or his supposed tempestuous relationship with the Scotland manager, his former boss at Celtic, Jock Stein, were valid reasons for his omission from the international squad at a time when Scotland were not short of quality in forward positions, what isn’t in doubt is that he should at least have been given his opportunity. How frustrated he must’ve felt seeing some of the players who represented Scotland some twenty years or so later under Berti Vogts in particular, who didn’t have an ounce of his talent. It can’t be much of a consolation to be regarded as Scotland’s greatest ever uncapped player.
Morton’s peak came the following season however, as, with Roy Baines back at the club, they reached the top of the Premier League in November 1979, before two controversial defeats over the Christmas period saw them unjustly beaten by two Glasgow clubs who, if you believe their supporters, aren’t often the on the right side of refereeing decisions. The words “Sandy Jardine” are still words best not spoken in front of a certain generation of ‘Ton fans. And, I suspect, Andy’s teammate, Bobby Thomson.
While Morton fell down the table on the back of those two defeats, it was small consolation that Aberdeen, led by former St. Mirren boss Alex Ferguson, denied the two beneficiaries of Morton’s festive misfortune, the flag.
But Aberdeen, arguably one of the best teams in Europe at the time, had an Achilles heel. To quote the great man: “We won three Scottish Premier Division titles. We won three Scottish Cups in a row. We won the European Cup Winners’ Cup and the European Super Cup. We played three up, four up and two out wide but we couldn’t beat f*****g Morton.”
While the Dons did enjoy some success over Morton, ten wins for the good guys over that golden era took quite some doing. And none were more glorious than in a spectacular double header in February 1981. Having already beaten the champions 1-0 at Cappielow a couple of months earlier, Morton travelled to Pittodrie on February 7th and returned with another 1-0 win thanks to a terrific Drew Busby header to shock their hosts.
But it was the following week, on Valentine’s Day that Andy scored his most fondly remembered goal for Morton, as Cappielow enjoyed perhaps its greatest ever day. With the Dons visiting for a fourth round Scottish Cup tie, it was he who stole the show twenty minutes in, as he collected a driven John Marr pass on his chest, turned Iain Considine and left him on his backside before being faced up with the imposing sight of Willie Miller, Alex McLeish and Jim Leighton, who he managed to curl the ball beyond, and into the bottom corner with the outside of his right foot. Morton would record a third successive 1-0 victory over Ferguson’s side, emptying them from the cup in the process.
Andy's magnificent goal against Aberdeen in the 1981 Scottish Cup fourth round is fondly remembered by Morton fans of his era. (Video- Leon Mooney)
Morton would reach the semi-finals that year, where they would fall to a 1-2 defeat to Rangers in controversial circumstances. Andy had been left out of the starting XI, much to the regret of Benny Rooney, but his late penalty, following Jim Holmes ordering off for an innocuous tackle that had reduced Morton to ten men reduced the arrears to 1-2. To top off a bad day, Bobby Thomson was again ordered off, admittedly for a scything tackle for which a red card was referee Brian McGinlay’s only option. Thomson reportedly apologised to his teammates at full time, telling them he “had to do it”.
After that season, Morton’s team began to break-up, but Andy was to stick around until their relegation in 1982-83. He was very much a victim of football’s policy on players’ contracts in his era, with the clubs holding all the power and able to command a fee for players even if they were out of contract, which restricted his opportunities.
Celtic had tried to buy him back early in his time at Morton, while Hearts and Sheffield Wednesday also had offers rebuffed, and when he eventually moved on it was to Motherwell. His time at Fir Park was brief though, as were subsequent spells at Clydebank, East Stirling and Albion Rovers, the latter as a player coach.
Another goal is notched, this time against Kilmarnock at Cappielow. (Photo- SNS)
Sadly though, his playing career was over by the age of 28. Other jobs in the game followed, at Hamilton, St. Mirren and Celtic, with what must’ve been an attractive gig scouring the continent for talent as the Bhoys emerged from the doldrums in the mid-nineties.
Life wasn’t plain sailing though, as Andy had his vices. Bookmakers weren’t his friends, and at his lowest point he would find himself asking old pals for a couch for the night as he tried to get himself back on his feet.
But latterly, his working life took him back to Cappielow in an ambassadorial role, although he was often a familiar figure on Sinclair Street before taking up employment from the club again.
The COVID pandemic unleashed Andy to the world as an unexpectedly magnificent co-commentator. Who can forget the line about a drunk man chasing a balloon??? Since then, he’s been a regular host in hospitality, always quick to entertain and introduce his fellow ex-Morton heroes to the hospitality guests, enhancing the experience for all.
I’ve only ever been fortunate enough to meet him on a couple of occasions, and despite never having seen him play, I’ve always felt that I gave off the impression of being like a schoolboy in awe of his hero, such is his legend around these parts.
Everyone at The Morton Forum wishes Andy Ritchie a long and enjoyable retirement and would like to thank him for everything he contributed to our club and to Scottish football, on and off the park.
I hope and trust that he won’t be a stranger in the years to come.
Bibliography
Greenock Morton 1874-1999, Vincent P Gillen, 1998
Morton Greats, Graeme Ross, 2004
The Price of Vice, Andy Ritchie, 2012
The battle of Celtic Park: Rangers, Morton, Andy Ritchie and a hideous crime count, Graeme Ross, The Scotsman, 11th April 2021
Sir Alex Ferguson: We won league titles, three cups in a row and dumped Real to gain European trophy.. but we still couldn’t beat f*****g Morton, Anthony Haggerty, Daily Record, 12th December 2015
Thanks to Leon Mooney for his help in fact checking.
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Morton v Airdrieonians – Match Preview
by Russell Gordon
With Morton now pushing for the promotion play-offs on the back of what is now a fourteen-match unbeaten run, they face what is arguably their most important match of the season to date, with the visit of one of their nearest challengers for the coveted final place in the top four of the table.
With Rhys McCabe’s Airdrie sitting five points behind Dougie Imrie’s men with a game in hand, three points for the hosts at Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology could go a long way to securing their place at the end of season showdown for promotion.
Match tickets are available at the below link:
Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com)
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Squad News
It must be a long time since any Morton manager selected an unchanged starting XI for four consecutive matches, but this is the fortunate position Imrie finds himself in after such woes in the early period of the season.
However, with Morton entering one of their busier periods of the campaign, and a midweek trip to big-spending Raith Rovers coming up, he may look to mix things up a bit and keep everyone fresh with a few changes.
While there will undoubtedly be in-game changes, the most obvious move could be to bring in club captain Grant Gillespie for Alan Power, while Jai Quitongo and Kirk Broadfoot wil hope to start pushing for starting berths.
Quitongo’s late cameo at Hampden last Saturday was encouraging, and one can only hope that he’ll catch a break with injuries between now and the end of the season to allow him to contribute as much as he’d like as we head into the business end of the campaign.
Steven Boyd and Jamie MacDonald will be hoping for a return to the squad, but will understand that their opportunities of getting on the pitch on their returns are likely to be limited.
Current Connections
There are a few familiar faces in the visitors’ camp. Former Morton youngster Lewis McGregor was snapped up by Airdrie last January and contributed to their promotion push last term, before coming back to Cappielow and notching the winner for his current charges in September.
Another ex-Morton man who will be looking to get one over his former employers is Charlie Telfer, who enjoyed a controversial year in Greenock under Raymond McKinnon and Jonatan Johansson. The highlight of his time at Morton was when he scored the second goal in their memorable 2-0 win over Falkirk, which effectively secured the ‘Ton’s Championship place for another year, and condemned the Grangemouth club to 5 (five) years in League One. Telfer was then inadvertently involved in Johansson’s resignation, after the Finn was advised not to pick him for the final game of the season in the event that his selection triggered an extension to Telfer’s one-year deal at Morton.
Caretaker boss Jim McAlister brought Telfer off the bench anyway, and left Cappielow for League One minnows Falkirk. Telfer spent four seasons in League One, but it was only when he left The Falkirk Stadium that he managed to escape the purgatory of the third tier, helping Airdrie up via the play-offs, with victories over yes, you guessed it- Falkirk and then Hamilton.
Airdrie reserve keeper David Hutton spent the 2012-13 season as Derek Gaston’s deputy, and the Diamonds’ Hibs loanee Josh O’Connor’s dad Garry spent the second half of the following campaign with Morton. The less said about his time on the tail o’ the bank the better.
There are no former Waysiders in the home dressing room, but Jai Quitongo’s bother Rico had a very unhappy time at Airdrie, and there’s no love lost between the Quitongo clan and our friends from Monklands.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Tale of the Tape
This is the third meeting of the clubs this season, and goals have been at a premium in the previous encounters. As I’ve already alluded to, Lewis McGregor’s first half goal was enough to separate the Diamonds from an injury-ravaged Morton at Cappielow in late September, leaving the hosts rooted to the bottom of the table.
In November, a Morton side who were beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel hosted Airdrie in the quarter finals of the SPFL Trust Trophy and the sides played out one of the more entertaining goalless draws you’re likely to see, with Morton missing chance after chance during a dominant second half before Lewis McGrattan was the only man to fail from the spot as Airdrie progressed on penalties. The Diamonds went on to beat big-spending Raith in their semi final and meet Welsh champions The New Saints in Grangemouth in next month’s final.
The ‘Ton’s visit to North Lanarkshire a couple of days before Christmas was of the more turgid variety of goalless draws, as Morton, without the suspended George Oakley’s presence up front, held the hosts in a game that won’t live long in the memory.
Opposition Analysis
There won’t be too many Airdrie fans who aren’t satisfied with their progress in their first season back in Scotland’s second tier in over a decade.
While League One Champions Dunfermline were perhaps more fancied going into the season, the Diamonds have been one of the surprise packages of this season, usurping the Pars to go into fourth place before only recently losing that berth as a result of Morton’s terrific run of form.
They’ve had a more difficult couple of weeks since reaching the SPFL Trust Trophy final- losing comprehensively to Hearts to bow out the Scottish Cup, a match that must have provided food for thought for all those of a Morton persuasion, before suffering a 2-3 reverse to an Anton Dowds hat-trick for Ayr United at New Broomfield last weekend.
I spoke to Airdrie fan Emma Quigley (@emmaq1983), who gave me her thoughts going into the match:
“When we last caught up, Airdrie had been on a bumpy run of form, suffering three straight defeats while Morton had been picking up some great results. So, what promised to be a great tie between the two clubs of course ended up being a very uninspiring 0-0 draw at our place.
We meet again this weekend, with both teams picking up some great results and enjoying some exciting cup success. We’ve the final of the SPFL Trust Trophy against TNS to look forward to after beating Raith in Kirkcaldy, and while we exited the Scottish Cup at the hands of Hearts, it was good to see how our style of play and young players stood up to that challenge. Sadly, on the day we were beaten by the better side, and it will be interesting to see how Morton get on against them in the quarter finals.
Of course, those cup games have distracted from league business, and we come into this following (another) defeat to Ayr in what was an unusual display of defensive by the Diamonds.
A missing Callum Fordyce may have contributed to that, with an unusual pairing of Rhys McCabe and Craig Watson at the heart of the defence. I’ve chalked it up to a bad day at the office, as our record at the back is second only to Dundee United.
Prior to that defeat, we’d picked up wins against Queen’s Park, Inverness and another win over Raith Rovers before a home draw with Partick- and we still have two games in hand against Dunfermline and Arbroath.
While we generally don’t concede many, we do still struggle from a lack of firepower up front. I am frequently very jealous watching George Oakley bang in goals for you guys. However, we are competing well in the Championship and the squad is coping well with the step up.
The games between the sides are always tight, and I don’t think this will be any different, but we have already chalked up two wins over Morton this season- granted, one came down to penalties.
So of course, I’m going to back the guys to collect a 1-0 or a 2-1 win and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for no rainfall over the Wee Dublin End.”
Photo - GBR Photographs.
What’s Happening Elsewhere?
The BBC Scotland cameras visit Firhill on Saturday as Partick host a Dunfermline team that are looking to be in more serious bother with every passing week. While a Pars win would be the desired return, I wouldn’t be holding your breath for one.
Dunfermline’s fellow strugglers Arbroath and Inverness meet at Gayfield- a fixture that Jim McIntyre’s side will look to as a must win with games running out, and winnable fixtures at even more of a premium, such is their horrid run of results.
As for the top two, big-spending Raith will be hoping to carry on from last weekend’s win over Dundee United with a victory down at Somerset Park against Ayr, while the Terrors host a Queen’s Park side who Morton failed to break down last weekend.
Betting Guide
All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 22nd February 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.
Morton are the favourites going into the match at 20/21 money, with Airdrie priced at 13/5 and the draw at 23/10.
With Airdrie yet to concede to Morton this season, Morton to record a 1-0 win is 6/1 and Morton to win at half time and full time is 23/10.
Match Officials
Referee- Euan Anderson takes charge of his second Morton match of the season, having taken charge of Airdrie’s previous league visit in September, with Morton losing 0-1.
AR 1- Graeme Stewart
AR 2- Will Pare
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Queen’s Park v Morton – Match Preview
by Russell Gordon
Dougie Imrie’s Scottish Cup shock troops make what hopefully won’t be their last trip of the season to Scotland’s National Stadium as they look to extend their unbeaten run to an incredible fourteen games, after having disposed of Premiership Motherwell in last Friday’s televised Cappielow thriller.
With opponents Queen’s Park having recently seen a resurgence under the watchful eye of new manager Callum Davidson however, Imrie’s side won’t be taking anything for granted against a team who are also looking a far different proposition to what they were earlier in the campaign.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Squad News
Imrie should have a few pleasant selection problems, with the returns of Kirk Broadfoot and Jai Quitongo from the bench last Friday, as Imrie introduced both in the dying minutes as the clock ticked down.
The likelihood of either starting is slim, given Morton’s almost impregnable defensive efforts in recent weeks and Imrie’s policy of nursing his returning stars in lightly to competitive action, along with Quitongo’s misfortune on his many aborted returns thus far demanding a softly, softly approach in his case in particular.
Steven Boyd and Jamie MacDonald will also be looking to return to action sooner rather than later, but with those who have stepped in stepping up, will also likely have to click their heels on their returns to full fitness.
Current Connections
There are three former Queen’s Park players in the Morton squad- ‘Ton captain Grant Gillespie and Jai Quitongo both spent a couple of seasons with the Spiders from 2020-22, winning the League Two title in the abbreviated 2020-21 season under everyone’s favourite former Morton boss, and expert in taking teams into League One Raymond McKinnon, and following that success up by winning promotion through the League One play-offs under Owen Coyle, after McKinnon’s successor, Laurie Ellis completed the main body of work from the dugout.
Ryan Mullen made one loan appearance for Queens in 2021 while on loan for Celtic, and there’s another former Morton boss who has been helping out in the background at Hampden. David Hopkin has been a regular visitor to Hampden and had been leaning in offering the benefit of his wisdom to caretaker boss Paul Nuijten.
Hopkin’s successor, and all-round good guy Anton McElhone is the Head of Academy Coaching, and former Morton centre back Thomas O’Ware (not an all-round good guy) is the coach of the Spiders’ B Team.
Tale of the Tape
With last season being the first that the clubs shared a division since 2002-03, Morton of course picked up ten points from the available twelve against Queen’s Park.
They’re on course to do the same this season all going well, having played out a goalless draw on a bizarre afternoon at a rain-soaked Hampden in October, when most of the travelling Morton support were stuck in a flooded Greenock, along with winger Jack Bearne, who couldn’t join his teammates to take part on the afternoon.
In December, Morton hosted Queens in Nuijten’s first game in caretaker-charge as they made it nine points from nine in a week to kick-start their season. A magnificent passing move, belying the image of “big, bad, physical Morton” was finished off by Robbie Muirhead in the eighth minute to seal the points.
That of course, didn’t tell the whole tale of the afternoon though, as hapless referee Grant Irvine made it all about himself, producing a straight red card for George Oakley for a foul on the halfway line that merited a booking and nothing more five minutes before the break.
Irvine then surpassed himself by awarding the visitors a penalty on the cusp of half time for a nothing challenge, but Ruari Paton’s tame spot kick was comfortably smothered by Ryan Mullen.
The ten men had to soak up a lot of second half pressure, but Queens didn’t really produce any clear-cut chances against a Morton side who had to roll their sleeves up and defend doggedly to keep the three points in Greenock.
Photo - GBR Photographs.
Opposition Analysis
Queen’s Park have had a funny season- after a disappointing League Cup group stage campaign, they started the league season with three successive wins, before hitting the skids and going fourteen league games without success and exiting the SPFL Trust Trophy to League One minnows Falkirk and the Scottish Cup to Partick.
The appointment of former Ajax and Anderlecht youth coach Robin Veldman as Head Coach smacked of a club investing in establishing a philosophy without considering that in order to succeed in Scotland’s second tier, you actually need to roll your sleeves up and get your hands dirty now and again.
After such a horrific run, which only saw a Trust Trophy victory over Bala Town of Wales, Veldman fell by the sword in December, with a resounding 1-4 Hampden defeat by Inverness proving to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
While Paul Nuijten steadied the ship somewhat, collecting three points in his final game stepping into the dugout with a 2-1 home success against Dunfermline, the permanent appointment of Callum Davidson, a man who is no stranger to winning at a near-empty Hampden, has seen a terrific turnaround in Queens’ fortunes, starting with a 2-1 win at big-spending Raith Rovers and falling 1-2 at home to Ayr United, before two more away wins, 1-0 in a real six-pointer at Inverness and a resounding 3-0 victory over a beleaguered Dunfermline side who were still smarting from their even heavier drubbing from Morton a week previous.
The signing of former Scotland, Hearts and Liverpool centre back Danny Wilson has raised eyebrows, but perhaps the best signing the Spiders have made since going professional is that of their new manager, who should drag them clear of any danger with relative comfort.
What’s Happening Elsewhere?
The league season’s biggest game takes place under the gaze of the BBC Scotland cameras on Friday as big-spending Raith Rovers, on the back of a horror run of five defeats in a row across three competitions, try to hang onto the coattails of league leaders Dundee United who, with a four point cushion and a vastly superior goal difference could land a near-fatal blow to the Fifers’ faltering title challenge.
Airdrie and Ayr are more than welcome to cancel each other out in the Bill Barr Derby at New Broomfield, and with Morton now chasing down Partick, there’ll be no complaints if they drop points in the Highlands against Inverness.
There’s another match of significant importance, this time at the bottom of the table as a Dunfermline side in freefall host Arbroath, who will be desperate to take advantage of the Pars’ woes by winning to reduce the gap at the foot to three points. One would really fear for whoever loses, but the Red Lichties need to at worst avoid defeat is massive.
Photo - GBR Photographs
Betting Guide
All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 15th February 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling.
Despite home advantage, Queen’s Park are second favourites at 17/10, with Morton priced at 5/4 and the draw at 5/2.
The draw at half time and Morton at full time is 19/4 and Morton to win to nil is 10/3.
Match Officials
Referee- Steven McLean is the man in the middle, his second Morton game of the season, having taken charge of the 3-0 League Cup Group Stage win over Stranraer in July.
AR 1- Graham McNeillie
AR 2- Jamie Andrews
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Craig, Darren and Alan discuss Morton's 2-1 win over Motherwell and the quarter-final draw giving us a home tie against Hearts.
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