Admin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Craig and Darren discuss the end of Morton's 16 match unbeaten run with defeats to Inverness Caledonian Thistle & Dundee United.

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