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Away Day Guide – Dunfermline (3rd February) Photo - Dunfermline FC Ticketing Click here to purchase tickets. Ticket prices are as follows: Adult - £21, Concession - £15, U12s - £7. Disabled Supporters Information There is no limit to the number of tickets available to disabled supporters, although East End Park is only able to accommodate 19 home wheelchair users and 12 away wheelchair users, and therefore tickets for this group of supporters are subject to availability. Where a disabled supporter requires a carer or Personal Assistant, that person will be admitted free of charge. The Club has 6 dedicated parking spaces for disabled away fans behind the East Stand, spaces can be booked in advance by emailing matthew@dafc.co.uk up to 24 hours before the match. Any remaing spaces will be available on a first come first served basis on matchday. Please enter the Main Carpark via Leys Park Road and follow the stewards` directions. These spaces are available free of charge.
 Supporters Buses The Gourock Morton Supporters bus will depart from The Old Wherry Tavern at 12noon. The price will be decided on the day. Both buses are currently full. Message their page on Facebook to book a space. The Port Glasgow Morton Travel Club bus will leave The Caledonian Bar at 12.30pm. The cost will be decided on the day. Message their page on Facebook to book a space. By Train Travel to Glasgow central, transfer to Glasgow Queen Street and board a train to Edinburgh Waverly, then alight at Haymarket, boarding a service to Dunfermline Queen Margaret. All information taken from the ScotRail website. By Car Use the postcode KY12 7RB for the stadium. The estimated journey time from Cappielow, via the M8, M876 and A985 is 1 hour and 19 minutes (61.2 miles). Street parking around the stadium is limited, please also note that parking in the retail park next to the stadium may incur a private parking fine. Pre-Match The East Port (7 East Port, Dunfermline, KY12 7JG) is the best bet for pre-match refreshments, offering the usual amenities. You may struggle around the stadium, with the Elizabethan not welcoming football fans, and the stadium bars typically not admitting away fans. Photo - WhatPub

Craig & Stu discuss Morton's 3-0 win over Arbroath, the statement about supporter arrangements for the Motherwell game and transfer business.

Morton v Arbroath – Match Preview by Russell Gordon Having recently disposed Montrose in the fourth round of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, Morton welcome the Gable Endies’ local rivals Arbroath to Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology this weekend as they return to league business and look to push towards a place in the promotion play-offs. Having frustratingly dropped points in their previous outing against Partick, Dougie Imrie’s side will be looking for maximum points in a fixture that has proved notoriously tough in recent years. Match tickets are available at the below link: Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com) Photo - GBR Photographs. Squad News The only real injury concern appears to be over vice-captain Jack Baird, who again sat out the cup tie against Montrose. With Dougie Imrie having a general rule of keeping his cards close to his chest when discussing injuries and player availability, it’s unclear as to when the commanding centre back will likely return. One man who should come back into the team is Tyler French, who was left out of the Montrose match. While Dundee have confirmed that French will remain at Morton until the season’s conclusion, his omission was likely in the event of them having to recall him before the month’s end in the event of an injury at Dens. Providing that doesn’t happen at this late stage will of course be available for the next round of the Scottish Cup, as the transfer window will be closed, and Dundee have already exited the competition. With Imrie making a couple of changes last week, I’d expect Lewis Strapp to return to the starting line-up in the place of Calum Waters, while the Morton boss could have his usual dilemma between Grant Gillespie and Alan Power. Michael Garrity and Lewis McGrattan will also be eying Jai Quitongo’s jersey, with the winger not quite up to speed after his lengthy lay-off. Current Connections There’s only one player in either squad who has represented their opponents. Unfortunately though, the popular Arbroath custodian has missed their last two games and is likely to miss the trip to Cappielow. Now in his fifth season at Gayfield, he’s made the number one jersey his own in his time on the east coast, having previously served Morton with distinction for seven seasons, playing a vital role in winning the 2015 League One title and returning the club to the Championship at the first attempt. Tale of the Tape FINALLY! After thirteen unsuccessful attempts, the Morton fans could finally leave a fixture against the Red Lichties with a smile on their faces when the clubs met on December 9th. It looked as though David Gold’s second half equaliser would give the hosts a share of the spoils against then bottom-of-the-league Morton, following Lewis McGrattan’s first half opener, but on Lewis Strapp’s Morton return, it was his long throw that fell at the feet of George Oakley, who rifled the ball into the roof of Derek Gaston’s net to send the Cowshed faithful home in fine fettle as their charge up the table began. Arbroath’s previous visit to Cappielow wasn’t such a happy occasion, with the visitors registering a comfortable 3-0 victory thanks to a Michael McKenna penalty, an Iain Wilson own goal and a last-minute Joao Balde strike, making for a miserable afternoon for Dougie Imrie’s troops as any pre-season optimism was smashed to pieces by a ruthless performance from the impressive visitors. I needn’t discuss any meetings previous to that other than to say Arbroath have won on each of their last three visits to Cappielow and are unbeaten in their last six visits, with Morton’s last home victory being a 1-0 success in November 2019, thanks to an early Reece Lyon goal. Photo - GBR Photographs. Opposition Analysis There’s no hiding from it- Arbroath are in serious bother. Tuesday night’s 0-2 defeat against fellow strugglers Ayr United was not what the doctor ordered, and with an injury list that is increasing with every passing day, it would be fair to say that if they didn’t have bad luck, they’d have no luck at all. With long-serving manager Dick Campbell leaving the building after their shock Scottish Cup exit to SPFL new-boys Spartans, Arbroath’s form hasn’t really improved since the appointment of former Dunfermline, Queen of the South, Ross County and Cove boss, Jim McIntyre. McIntyre’s nine games thus far has seen five defeats, three draws and a single win in Inverness. Sitting bottom of the table, two points below second bottom Queen’s Park, the need to get points on the board is a desperate one. I spoke to our usual port of call for all things Arbroath, Ewan Smith (@ewansmithpr), who wasn’t his usual optimistic self when discussing his side’s troubles. “It was unlucky thirteen for Arbroath the last time we faced Morton as our incredible unbeaten run came to a halt in December. That was the start of a Jim McIntyre era that has been overshadowed by injuries. It sounds like a well-worn excuse, but it’s hard to argue that the overcrowded treatment room at Arbroath, that has left our squad ravaged, has had a huge impact on the park. In recent games, we’ve been without an entire starting XI of first team regulars such as Derek Gaston, Tam O’Brien, Ricky Little and Michael McKenna. We’ve brought in five new players in Innes Murray, Zak Delaney, Adam MacKinnon, Kyle Robinson and Max Boruc to compensate- only for Murray and Delaney to both get injured themselves. The horrific crock list led to THAT iconic moment that saw our sub keeper Ali Adams score from thirty yards against Raith Rovers whilst playing as a makeshift striker. It also exposed the fact that we were only able to list three outfield players on our bench. The bench has been so bare in the games that followed that Adams has threatened a re-run. And it doesn’t look like getting much better soon. In our defeat to Ayr on Tuesday, we ended the game with a striker at right back, a left wing-back and right midfielder in the centre of our defence and a midfielder at left back. Against a gale force wind for the entire second half, there was only going to be one winner as we made it six without a victory. I’m normally a glass-half-full kind of guy and would always back us- particularly against Morton- but I’m not feeling it right now. It doesn’t help that Morton are in the midst of a ten-match unbeaten run and recently stunned Dundee United at Tannadice. That’s why I’d settle for a draw here and a welcome two week break from games to allow some of our injured players to get back and bolster our bid to stay in the Championship.” What’s Happening Elsewhere? There’s a full card of Saturday fixtures this weekend, as Partick Thistle visit Airdrie in a fixture that those of a Morton persuasion will be hoping that Brian Graham and the lads can do their pals from Greenock a wee favour in our bid to snatch the final play-off place, which is currently occupied by the Diamonds. Heaven forbid, Dunfermline may actually have to play a football match this weekend, as Dundee United are more likely to be able to stage a game at Tannadice- something East End Park has struggled to do in recent times with fixtures postponed with frozen and waterlogged pitches- coincidentally in the midst of an injury crisis for the Pars. There’s a basement battle of the division’s two newest managers at Hampden, as Callum Davidson takes charge of his first “home” match with Queen’s Park against An Ayr United side looking to build on Tuesday’s win over Arbroath as Scott Brown makes his bow in the Honest Mens’ dugout. In the final game, big-spending Raith Rovers will be looking to make it nine points from nine against Inverness- a team they had previously failed to beat since 2000. Photo - GBR Photographs. Betting Guide All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 9pm on 25th January 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. Morton are overwhelming favourites going into the match, priced at 4/7, with the draw at 3/1 and Arbroath priced at 15/4. Our two hat trick heroes of recent weeks, George Oakley and Robbie Muirhead, are 16/1 and 22/1 respectively to notch trebles this time around. Match Officials Referee- Duncan Williams makes a swift return to Cappielow, having been in the middle of Morton’s 3-0 victory over Ayr United on the second of January, an afternoon in which he didn’t cover himself in glory. AR 1- Jonathan Bell AR 2- Ross Anderson

I've tidied the thread up, with the main perpetrator now restricted to only posting in General Nonsense to avoid every match thread descending into the same bin fire.

Morton v Montrose - Match Preview by Russell Gordon Cup fever comes to Greenock as League One promotion-chasers Montrose visit Cappielow Park supported by Dalrada Technology for a tie that should prove far more of a test than the convincing victory the ‘Ton recorded over Lowland League Bo’ness United in the last round of the competition. With Montrose sitting in fourth place in their division, and eying a stab at the play-offs in May, the trip to Greenock could prove a fine barometer for Stewart Petrie’s men as to the level they’ll hope to be competing against next season. With the match not available on the season ticket, individual match tickets are available at the below link: Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com) Photo - GBR Photographs. Squad News Dougie Imrie could have a defensive dilemma with Jack Baird again missing out of the draw against Partick at Cappielow last weekend, while Dundee loanee Tyler French was forced to sit out of the previous round’s success against the BUs in the event of him returning to his parent club. Given that we’re now well into the transfer window, Dundee boss Tony Docherty’s stance on French’s availability may well have softened, but I’d expect French to sit out, although in the event of Morton progressing, he’d likely to be available for any future tie in the competition, unless we draw Dundee themselves. Current Connections There are two former Morton players in the visiting squad. Centre back Kerr Waddell enjoyed a loan spell at Cappielow from Dundee in the bizarre 2018-19 season under Raymond McKinnon and subsequently Jonatan Johansson following the former’s controversial departure. Waddell proved a popular figure amongst the Morton support, making 22 starts and 6 substitute appearances and scoring twice, in a Scottish Cup replay win at Peterhead and more memorably notching the only goal in a Friday night live TV victory over eventual champions Ross County. He was however, injured in a 0-3 defeat by Partick in March, missing out on the run in as Morton charged clear of the relegation zone towards a comfortable fifth placed finish, leaving Falkirk rooted at the bottom of the table and staring at a season (or five) of League One football. Waddell was also to find himself in League One the following season, where he has remained ever since, having signed on a permanent deal for the Gable Endies, a surprising move considering his well-documented allegiance to their local rivals, Arbroath. A good bit further back, Michael Gardyne had a short spell at Cappielow under his former Celtic youth coach, Jim McInally. Signing on deadline day in August 2007, his spell in Greenock was a brief and uneventful one, leaving in the following window for Ross County, where he had been on loan the previous season, in the January 2008 window after only five months at Morton. Gardyne made only ten appearances for Morton, failing to find the net in that time, before enjoying two hugely successful spells in Dingwall, punctured by a move to Dundee United and a loan at Kilmarnock. On finally departing Victoria Park, he joined up at local rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle, but his time in the Highland Capital was to prove an unhappy one, as he was allegedly forced to leave “for the benefit of dressing room harmony”. I’ll say no more. Approaching 38, the veteran has enjoyed a fruitful spell at Montrose since that controversial departure from Thistle. Tale of the Tape Morton and Montrose haven’t shared a division since way back in 2002-03 when the ‘Ton won the Third Division title as they began their journey back up the divisions post administration. Since then, there have been a few meetings in various competitions, most recently in 2021, when Morton visited Links Park for a Challenge Cup tie and progressed on penalties after a turgid afternoon. It wasn’t, however, Morton’s only visit to Links Park that year, having fallen to a 1-2 defeat on the east coast in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final, leaving Morton clinging on desperately for their Championship lives. Gary Oliver’s early strike had given the visitors an early lead, but goals from Russell McLean and Graham Webster turned the tie around heading into the second leg. When the teams met at Cappielow, the pressure was all on the hosts, on an evening that under normal circumstances would have produced a crackling atmosphere, the match was played out in an eerie atmosphere as we came towards the end of the closed-doors era of Scottish football. Oliver was again off the mark early doors, and Morton’s lead was doubled by Cameron Salkeld 20 minutes in to hand them the advantage in the tie. McLean again netted to send the tie into extra time, before Craig McGuffie clipped in a delightful 120th minute winner to send the few inside Cappielow into raptures and Morton into a final in which they would dispose of Airdrie with relative ease. Prior to that, Morton enjoyed a resounding 4-0 League Cup second round victory over Montrose at Cappielow, giving them a tie at Celtic Park in the following round, which proved quite memorable. In that league campaign in 2002-03, the ‘Ton collected ten points from the twelve available, but the Scottish Cup doesn’t hold fond recent memories of Montrose. Allan McGraw’s magnificent team of 1996 toiled to a 1-1 draw at Cappielow against the Gable Endies, having taken the lead through Marko Rajamaki, before travelling up to Links Park the following evening for a replay against a team enduring a season similar to that that Edinburgh City are suffering in the same division this term. While Morton were overwhelming favourites having been given the second chance, it was the underdogs who prevailed 3-2 after Morton keeper David Wylie was ordered off and replaced in goal by centre back John Anderson, on an evening still remembered fondly in Montrose, and less so in Greenock. Against a far better Montrose side this weekend, that evening’s events should serve as a timely warning against complacency, and it should be noted that in the only other Scottish Cup meeting between the clubs, Montrose prevailed with a 3-1 win at Cappielow in 1976. Photo - GBR Photographs. Opposition Analysis Montrose are one of the great, unheralded success stories of the introduction of the pyramid to Scottish football. A club whose dire league performances in the noughties and beyond were only overshadowed by hapless East Stirlingshire, they became the first to face the dreaded pyramid play-off in 2015, relying on two late goals from Marvin Andrews and Gary Wood to overcome Brora Rangers and retain their SPFL status. Since then though, they’ve got their act together, winning the League Two title in 2018 and remaining in the third tier ever since, threatening promotion in 2021 and 2022 when that semi-final defeat to Morton prevented them advancing to the 2021final and a remarkable 5-6 aggregate defeat to Airdrie denied them the following year. As it stands, they’re sitting in a good place to make another assault on the play-offs this season. Pivotal in Montrose’s upturn in fortunes has been manager Stewart Petrie, who has been in situ since 2016, despite seeing his name mentioned several times since for higher profile jobs due to his continued success at Links Park. While they are sitting comfortably in the division, recent form has been poor, with Saturday’s 0-1 home defeat by Stirling Albion following up consecutive draws against Alloa, Cove and Annan. A run of one win in seven doesn’t bode well heading into an away tie at a team a division higher. I spoke to Montrose fan Blair Ruxton (@BlairRuxton), who gave me his thoughts heading into the tie: “When the draw for the fourth round was made, Montrose fans of a certain vintage were quick to point out to me that we were unbeaten against Morton in this competition, with the last tie in 1995-96 being won by Montrose after a replay at Links Park, so there was a sense of optimism. However, my head went straight to the moment I watched a Craig McGuffie cross find its way into Alan Fleming’s goal to end Montrose’s promotion hopes in the 2020-21 season on an iPad in the living room with my parents. I certainly know which of these events I’d rather see repeated this weekend. Since Stewart Petrie’s arrival at Montrose in 2016, the one thing many Mo fans have craved, in what has otherwise been our most successful period since the nineties, is a good cup run. We are yet to go beyond the fourth round of the cup under Petrie, but nevertheless, the Mo’ faithful will be travelling to Cappielow full of hope. Despite not having won a match since the middle of December, performances have been better than the results have suggested, having produced a fantastic comeback to draw against Alloa just before Christmas and held onto a point away to Annan early in the new year despite having been reduced to ten men. Although we still find ourselves in the play-off places, the opinion of many has been that we’ve not been at our best this season. Injuries haven’t helped, with Brazilian winger, Matheus Machado, and midfield stalwart, Terry Masson both missing most of the season as well as the recent injury to former Morton defender Kerr Waddell, who looks set to miss the rest of the season. Last weekend’s defeat to Stirling Albion wasn’t the ideal preparation, but due to suspensions it did give a chance for 17-year-old Ben Hermiston to start his first game of the season. The young Australian signed his first professional contract with the club prior to the game, having been with the Academy and made an impact from the bench, notching his first goal in that draw with Alloa. This week however, should see the return of Kane Hester and another former Morton man, Michael Gardyne, from suspension. Hester has been among the goals since his arrival in the summer from Elgin for a club record fee, and after a brace in the last round, will be determined to add to his tally for the season. Gardyne has, in my opinion, been the standout player this season. Playing deeper and more centrally, his technical ability is second to none. With those two coming back into the fold, barring any further injuries, Montrose will feel they couldn’t be better equipped to try and claim their first victory of 2024 and progress to the fifth round of the cup for the first time in Stewart Petrie’s reign. Hopefully the Mo’ faithful will leave Greenock with their head held high having competed well with a team from a higher division. And for my prediction? Well, a repeat of 95-96 can’t happen due to the lack of replays, nowadays, so I’ll have to go with the Morton fans receiving a piece of their own medicine courtesy of a 119th minute winner from a Michael Gardyne cross that sneaks into Ryan Mullen’s net!” Photo - GBR Photographs. What’s Happening Elsewhere? Weather permitting, one of the best weekends of any season, as the Premiership clubs join the competition, kicks off on Friday night as League Two bottom dogs Clyde host Aberdeen at their latest temporary lodging in front of the BBC Scotland cameras, with the Dons well aware of the pitfalls of not being on their game for a cup tie after last season’s Darvel debacle. The TV fayre continues with, remarkably, an Edinburgh derby that Hibs will be confident of avoiding defeat in, as Spartans host Hearts at Ainslie Park. Elsewhere, Airdrie host 2021 winners St’ Johnstone while Ayr United (who have never won the trophy) host Kelty. League One minnows Falkirk make the short journey to Bonnyrigg Rose, and there’s a nostalgic trip for the Cove fans to face their former Highland League foes, Brora Rangers. While Hibs will be delighted not to be losing the Edinburgh derby, they’ll also be pleased the draw handed them a straightforward tie with Raymond McKinnon’s struggling Forfar. Another team who love an easy draw is Inverness, who, after taking care of Cowdenbeath in the last round were handed another home tie against Lowland League opposition in the form of Broomhill, or whatever they’re called this season. The only all-Premiership tie takes place at Rugby Park as Dundee look to avoid exceeding Hibs’ run which ended after 114 years without winning the trophy, while struggling Livingston host a Raith Rovers team aiming to spend their way towards replacing them in next season’s Premiership. There are a further three ties between Premiership and lower league opposition as Motherwell host Alloa, Partick make the journey to the scene of their hilarious play-off final defeat in Dingwall and St. Mirren host Queen of the South. In a shock move, Viaplay have chosen the Old Firm’s ties to broadcast, and they should be titanic battles as Dumbarton host Rangers in the Saturday evening fixture, while Buckie Thistle make the trip to Celtic Park on Sunday for a tie that could change the finances of their club for generations to come. In the Championship, Dunfermline and Queen’s Park, both ousted in their derbies in the last round, meet in a fixture re-arranged from the 2nd of December, a match that may well prove daunting for the injury-hit Pars, given the Spiders’ recent resurgence. Betting Guide All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7pm on 18th January 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. As the higher division club, Morton head into the match as clear favourites at 8/15, with the visitors priced at 3/1 and the draw at 4/1. Robbie Muirhead to score at least two goals is 4/1, while Morton to win at half time and full time is 29/20. Match Officials Referee- Matthew McDermid takes charge of his second Morton game of the season, having been in the middle of the first of our many victories over Ayr United on the opening day of the league season. AR 1- John McCrossan AR 2- Brian Christie

Morton v Partick – Match Preview by Russell Gordon Dougie Imrie’s task going into this weekend is to pull his players down from Cloud Nine after last Saturday’s enthralling win at Tannadice in time for the visit of their fellow promotion hopefuls, Partick Thistle to Cappielow Park Supported by Dalrada Technology. While last weekend’s task looked the most daunting test of Morton’s ever increasing unbeaten run, the visit of a side that have had their number thus far in the campaign will doubtless prove a difficult challenge for Imrie’s men. Tickets for the match are available at the below link: Fanbase | Select Ticket (fanbaseclub.com) Photo - GBR Photographs. Squad News I don’t think I’ve said this at any point this season, but the Morton boss could well have a clean bill of health heading into a match which could go a long way towards establishing Morton as play-off contenders against a team who must already have the dates pencilled into their diary even at this early stage of the campaign. Robbie Muirhead returns from his enforced absence after serving a one-match ban at Tannadice last weekend and will likely slot back in in the place of Michael Garrity, despite the youngster excelling in the victory on Tayside, notably providing a wonderful cross for the first of George Oakley’s magnificent hat-trick. Vice-captain Jack Baird sat out of the Tannadice visit and could return to the side, but with Darragh O’Connor putting in another fine ninety minutes, there is at least the luxury of cover available to allow Baird time to fully recover. I’d expect Jai Quitongo to start on the bench as Imrie nurses him back to full fitness, and the return of Calum Waters last weekend was another welcome bonus, but with the left back not quite at full fitness and Lewis Strapp’s imperious form on his return to the club, Waters will more-than-likely join Quitongo on the bench. Current Connections Partick manager Kris Doolan’s playing career peaked with a 12-minute cameo in a Morton jersey in a 2-2 draw against Queen of the South in February 2020, his time at Morton curtailed by the outbreak of the COVID pandemic which saw the season stopped a month later. His captain, Brain Gaham started his career at Morton, scoring fourteen goals in all competitions across 73 appearances, most of which were from the bench. In his time at Morton, he enjoyed a prolific loan spell at East Stirlingshire, then of the old Third Division, before moving onto Raith Rovers. Since his departure, Graham has made no secret of the pleasure he takes in putting his old club to the sword at the various clubs he’s represented. He’s certainly got a love-hate relationship with the Morton fans- he loves to hate us, and the feeling is very much mutual! Another ex-player, but on the other side of the fence, who doesn’t endear himself to the fans of his former employees is Robbie Muirhead, who had a short loan spell at Firhill in 2016, scoring twice in eight appearances. Robbie Crawford was slightly more popular with the Partick support than Muirhead, enjoying a season in Glasgow before joining up at Cappielow at the start of last season. Jai Quitongo joined up at Partick after his first spell at Cappielow, enduring a pretty miserable time in Glasgow before moving over to Machine Sazi in Iran and coming back to Scotland with Dumbarton and subsequently Queen’s Park before returning to Cappielow. Tale of the Tape Anyone of a Morton persuasion may want to look away now. Partick came to Cappielow in August and fell behind early to a terrific Robbie Muirhead free kick before Robbie Crawford was forced off after only 21 minutes and Morton’s afternoon soon unravelled. Steven Lawless restored parity for Partick before half time, and the last twenty minutes proved a chastening experience for the Morton fans, with pantomime villain Graham scoring twice in a couple of minutes to put the game beyond the home side’s reach. There was still time for Partick full back Harry Milne to walk for a second yellow and for substitute Tomi Adeloye to put the cherry on the visitors’ cake on an afternoon we’d all rather forget. In the return match just over two months ago, Morton suffered their most recent league defeat, falling behind to an early Kerr McInroy strike before levelling the affair half an hour later through a Grant Gillespie penalty. The second half proved to be tight, with the main talking point as usual involving Partick’s former Morton striker, Graham. Enduring a difficult afternoon, Graham was withdrawn to be replaced by Adeloye with eighteen minutes remaining. With the visiting support enjoying watching Graham’s frustrations, he made his feelings clear by gesticulating to the Morton support, an act that was spotted by the stand side linesman, who alerted referee Alan Muir. Graham saw a straight red card for his troubles, but Partick weren’t reduced to ten men as he’d already been replaced. Three minutes later, Graham had the last laugh, as Blair Alston back heeled the winner past Jamie MacDonald to keep all the points in Maryhill, sparking wild celebrations from the banished striker, who goaded the visiting fans at a time he should have been sitting in the dressing room with his head in his hands. It’s fair to say we owe them one. Photo - GBR Photographs. Opposition Analysis Our pals from Glasgow have had a strange season. After narrowly missing out on promotion in that dramatic and not-at-all-funny play-off final in Dingwall, there was notable panic about how the books would be balanced with Partick’s trip to Ibrox in the cup last season being the only saving grace from a season in which there were a lot of eggs thrown into the promotion basket. They find themselves sitting in third- a sort of no man’s land between the two title challengers and those pushing for a play-off place. Having endured a slow start to the season, wins against Queen’s Park and Morton were followed up by yet another Friday night Somerset Park rout of Ayr before they suffered a surprise drubbing by Arbroath. After beating Dunfermline the following week, Partick went on runs of four without a win, then four wins in a row, before losing a thrilling TV game 3-4 at Stark’s Park. The Christmas period proved difficult, with dropped points at home to Inverness and a 0-3 mauling at Tannadice, but victories over Queen’s Park and Arbroath in the new year have seen Partick return to form ahead of the visit to Greenock. Despite their apparent financial woes, they’ve managed to find a few quid down the back of the sofa to sign Raith defender Dan O’Reilly on an 18-month deal in a surprise move after his short-term deal at the big-spending league leaders came to an end. What’s Happening Elsewhere? I don’t think it’s too arrogant of me to say that after last weekend’s heroics, even the most pessimistic of Morton fans are now looking at the permutations for the teams looking towards the play-offs at the top end of the table rather than the bottom end. With the weather in the Highlands expected to take a turn for the worse, we may well see the Friday night BBC Scotland game falling foul as, after all, it’s only Morton who are required to make the journey up and down the A9 when driving conditions are treacherous. Should it go ahead, Dundee United getting back to winning ways would go down well, with the Highlanders currently four points behind our favourites. On Saturday, there’s unlikely to be much of a feelgood factor at Gayfield as bottom dogs Arbroath host an Ayr United side in freefall, with Lee Bullen under increasing pressure from a support that’s losing patience with every passing week. The two promoted sides, Dunfermline and Airdrie, meet at East End Park in the game that most Morton fans will have their eyes on, hoping both can cancel each other out as we march to victory. Big-spending Raith Rovers host a Queen’s Park side who dragged themselves off the foot of the table with last weekend’s victory over injury-ravaged Dunfermline and appointed former St. Johnstone cup-winning boss Callum Davidson as their new manager during the week. Davidson knows a thing or two about winning at an empty Hampden, so the Spiders’ support will be hoping he can draw from those experiences! Photo - GBR Photographs. Betting Guide All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7am on 12th January 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. Morton to score in both halves comes in at 21/10, and George Oakley to continue on from last weekend by scoring at least twice is 9/2. Match Officials Referee- Craig Napier takes charge of his third Morton game of the season, having been in the middle of our 0-0 draw against Queen’s Park at Hampden and the 4-0 Scottish Cup victory over Bo’ness United. AR 1- Ross MacLeod AR 2- Scott Anderson

I've tidied this thread up a bit. If you want to continue the erm...riveting...conversation this thread descended into, you can find it in General Nonsense.

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Craig, Darren, Gordon & Chris discuss Morton's dramatic 3-2 win at Tannadice.

Dundee United v Morton - Match Preview by Russell Gordon Morton’s six-match unbeaten league run faces it’s sternest test to date this weekend as the ‘Ton make the journey east to face title favourites, and another of the division’s form sides, Dundee United at Tannadice. With both teams notching up impressive 3-0 victories in midweek, our hosts will also be aware that Morton pose a far greater threat than they may have expected earlier in the season, as the Greenock side start to look towards the play-offs at the top end of the table, rather than looking over their shoulder. Photo - GBR Photographs Squad News Touch wood, the news on the injury front has been encouraging of late, with Jai Quitongo being the latest to return to first team action in Tuesday’s drubbing of Ayr United. ‘Ton boss Dougie Imrie has also intimated that long term casualty Calum Waters is also making steady progress and could be back in contention for a return in the not-too-distant future. Notably though, there was no sign of veteran custodian Jamie MacDonald on the substitute’s bench on Tuesday, a position taken by youngster Sam Murdoch. With Ryan Mullen’s impressive performances seemingly indicating that he has permanently usurped MacDoanld, one wonders if the former Hearts man could be for the exit door this month, with the transfer window now open for business. However, for all the silver linings, there has to be a cloud, and quite a cloud it is. Man-of-the-moment Robbie Muirhead will be unavailable to repeat his Cappielow heroics, and indeed his goalscoring performance on his last visit to Tayside as he serves a one match ban, having accumulated six yellow cards across the league campaign. With Morton having now reached the halfway point in the season, nobody is now walking a suspension tightrope with the bar raised to twelve games before a ban kicks in. Current Connections There aren’t too many connections in the two squads, with only the suspended Muirhead, and club captain Grant Gillepsie having plied their trade in Tangerine. Muirhead spent a year and a half at Tannadice between 2014 and 2015, making sixteen appearances and finding the net twice, before making a loan move to Partick Thistle and eventually signing for Hearts. Gillespie meanwhile, had a short spell with United in 2018, making only eight appearances in a dismal season for a United side who failed to win promotion at the second time of asking. In the home dressing room is one of the few players you’ll see leaving Morton for another club in the same division with the best wishes of the Cappielow faithful. Liam Grimshaw signed on a free contract in September last season, and the affable Lancastrian quickly established himself as a fans favourite, winning a number of player of the year awards before moving onto pastures new at a club with whom Morton were never likely to compete with financially. In the backroom, former long-serving Morton kitman, and Jack-of-all-trades Andy Bryan is now on the payroll at Tannadice, having left Cappielow during the dark old days of David Hopkin and Dave MacKinnon. Tale of the Tape The clubs have only met once this season, also at Tannadice in a game that was marred by an appalling performance from hapless referee David Munro, not for the first time in a season the FIFA official would surely like to forget. With Morton enduring a difficult start to the campaign, the trip to Tayside was always going to be a daunting one, and was made all the more difficult by the concession of an early goal, with the talismanic Louis Moult nodding a fine Declan Glass cross into the visitors’ net. Morton however, rallied and Robbie Muirhead pounced on a mix-up between former Scotland defender Declan Gallagher and United goalkeeper Jack Walton to lash home an equaliser and snatch a point just before the hour mark. However, five minutes later, Terrors’ winger Matthew Cudjoe was given his marching orders after a clash with Calum Waters that was spotted by Munro’s assistant. While the ordering off upset those in Tangerine, it turned out that after the event, the red card was in fact justified, with Cudjoe clearly elbowing Waters- a good spot by the stand side linesman. Before that, the clubs last met three times in the COVID curtailed season, with David Hopkin’s Morton side falling 0-6 to a Lawrence Shankland-inspired United at Tannadice, with the now Scotland star bagging a hat trick on a chastening afternoon for Morton. United then registered a 2-1 victory at Cappielow, with the ex-Morton striker bagging another, and a resurgent Morton looked to have upset the odds in the final meeting at Tannadice, thanks to Kalvin Orsi’s early goal. No prizes for guessing who netted United’s injury time leveller. The two clubs were due to meet in Greenock on 2nd December, a game that fell foul of the weather and has yet to be re-arranged. Photo - GBR Photographs Opposition Analysis The title favourites have had an up-and-down season. Having endured a torrid relegation last season, the League Cup group stages saw embarrassing losses to Spartans and Partick Thistle, but United did manage an unbeaten run of fourteen games to open their league campaign. However, as the rest of the country was basking in Scotland’s qualification for next summer’s European Championships, United were enduring humiliating cup exits to League One minnows Falkirk and Queen of the South in the SPFL Trust Trophy and Scottish Cup respectively. Their unbeaten league run was ended at Tannadice by big-spending Raith Rovers, before rock-bottom Queen’s Park held them to a dismal draw in front of the BBC Scotland cameras at the National Stadium. However, having bounced back with consecutive 3-0 wins over Partick and Arbroath, they now sit three points behind the big-spending Fifers with that Cappielow fixture in hand. With no cup distractions, the absolute minimum for boss Jim Goodwin is the Championship Title. I spoke to our port of call for all things Dundee United, Gary Manson, of the Shed 57 Supporters’ Club (@Shed_57) who was happy to give me his thoughts: “Morton are the visitors to Tannadice this weekend as they look to improve on the 1-1 draw they recorded on their last visit. The United faithful of course, are yet to savour the delights of a visit to Cappielow with the early December fixture having been washed out. After a grim pre-Christmas performance at Hampden where Queen’s Park earned a point in a stodgy goalless draw, United have returned to winning ways with the remainder of the festive calendar yielding six points, six goals and nothing conceded. The ne’er day derby was unfamiliar to those in Tangerine as traditional opponents Dundee, Aberdeen and even St. Johnstone are all in the top flight, giving United a trip to Gayfield to face Arbroath. The 3-0 scoreline underlined United’s dominance over the Red Lichties, but injuries to Declan Gallagher and Scott McMann, both of whom had to be replaced, put a dampener on an otherwise successful afternoon. There is no doubt that, in spite of a +33 goal difference, finding the net has been an Achilles’ heel for United this season. Tony Watt notched a hat-trick against Partick last week and Louis Moult returned to the scoresheet at Arbroath, so things may be looking more positive from an attacking perspective. At the back, United have been solid- conceding only seven goals- the fewest in all UK professional leagues, hence the strong positive goal difference. Luton Town loanee Jack Walton has established himself as a very capable keeper behind a confident and miserly defence. Ex-Ton man Liam Grimshaw has slotted in quite comfortably into the right back position and Gallagher and Kevin Holt have strolled most games at centre half. Even with Gallagher’s recent fitness issues, young Ross Graham has stepped up well to the back four. If McMann is unavailable for Saturday’s game, United may go for three at the back or could call in young Flynn Duffy to bolster the defence. There’s no doubt that the absence of ex-Partick captain Ross Docherty weakens the Tangerine’s midfield. Craig Sibbald adds dig and grit to the midfield, but Ross County loanee Jordan Tilson has taken time to settle. Glenn Middleton remains a source of frustration for the Arabs- he’s fast and mobile, but his delivery lets him down and too often he’s at the wrong place at the wrong time. He did however score United’s second on Tuesday so that may give him some confidence going forward. Overall for Jim Goodwin, it’s a job half done. His cup record has been shameful with United dumped out of all three cups before Santa showed up. That said, Jim’s enjoyed his ne’er day steak pie having seen only one league defeat so far. Nobody could have anticipated the run Raith Rovers have put together, but for United, 41 points from 18 games is title-winning form, and in most other seasons would have been rewarded with a decent lead at the top of the league. As it is- every point is a prisoner and everyone of a Tangerine persuasion will be hoping for three more of them on Saturday.” Photo - GBR Photographs What’s Happening Elsewhere? The BBC Scotland cameras return to Hampden a matter of weeks after United’s visit, hopefully for a more entertaining affair between the league’s bottom dogs and a Dunfermline side who slipped out of the play-off places after both sides suffered midweek derby defeats. In the Saturday fixtures, Airdrie will be looking for a repeat of big-spending Raith Rovers sole league defeat of the season when the league leaders visit New Broomfield. Those of a Morton persuasion may be more concerned with the league leaders putting a dent in the Diamonds’ play-off ambitions. Fellow mid-table sides Ayr and Inverness, will look to get back on track after difficult midweek defeats when they meet at Somerset Park, and Partick host Arbroath at Firhill. Betting Guide All odds are supplied by McBookie. All odds correct as of 7am on 5th January 2024 and are subject to change. Please only bet within your means and visit BeGambleAware if you are struggling. Unsurprisingly, the Terrors are favourites at 4/11, with the draw at 7/2 and Morton a fairly generous 6/1. Morton to come out on top having been level at half time is 12/1, and George Oakley to score at any time is 7/2. Match Officials Referee- Iain Snedden officiates his second Morton game of the season, having taken charge of our 0-3 drubbing by Arbroath at Cappielow in August. AR 1- Paul McAvinue AR 2- Kenny Brown

Away Day Guide – Dundee United (6th January) Photo - Pintrest Ticketing Click here to purchase matchday tickets. Prices are as follows; Adult - £25, Concession - £15, U12s - £5. Disabled Supporters Information Visually impaired supporters can be accommodated in the lower tier of the George Fox Stand where they receive access to match commentary through headphones. This service is provided by the Dundee Blind and Partially Sighted Society (tel 01382 227101) and supporters should liaise with this organisation in the first instance Wheelchair capacity: there are 16 wheelchair spaces in the George Fox Stand Lower stand and 11 in the Eddie Thompson Stand. Wheelchair users accommodated in the George Fox Stand enter from the appropriately manned doors at either end of the stand. There is a facility for non-bookable disabled parking (12 spaces) at the east side of North Isla Street (between Tannadice Street and Fairbairn Street) or at the south kerb of Sandeman Street (between the east end of the George Fox Stand and Arklay Street). Disabled Away Supporters at Tannadice: For smaller games, there is a facility for four wheelchair spaces situated between the Fair Play and West Stand. Please contact moira.hughes@dundeeunitedfc.co.uk for further information. Supporters Buses The Gourock Morton Supporters bus will depart from The Old Wherry Tavern at 11.30am. The price will be decided on the day. Message their page on Facebook or contact Shaun on 07983 600945 to book a space. The Port Glasgow Morton Travel Club bus will leave The Caledonian Bar at 12noon. The cost will be decided on the day. Message their page on Facebook or contact Mark on 07903065204 to book a space. By Train Travel to Glasgow Central and transfer to Glasgow Queen Street. From Queen Street, services to Dundee operate regularly on the Glasgow-Aberdeen line. If not purchasing advanced tickets, then purchasing tickets from Glasgow-Perth and Perth-Dundee works out cheaper than a direct ticket. Electronic ticket barriers are in operation at Dundee. All information taken from the ScotRail website By Car Use postcode DD3 7JY for the stadium. The approximate journey time from Cappielow via the M8, M80 and A9 is 1hr 52 mins. Please be aware that there is very limited street parking around the vicinity of the stadium. One of the best options is to park at Fairmuir FC’s football pitches (DD4 9BG), which are around a 10 minute (0.5 mile) walk from Tannadice. Street parking is limited around the stadium area, as can be seen in the diagram below. Pre-Match Photo - Trip Advisor If you are arriving in Dundee city center then Trades House Bar (40 Nethergate, Dundee DD1 4ET) is a few minutes walk from Dundee Station, serving food and drinks and showing live sport. If arriving at the stadium, The Ellenbank Bar (128 Alexander St, Dundee DD3 7DE) has all the usual pre-match requirements and is only a few minutes walk from the turnstiles.