MacFarlane Rumour

Queen of The South's Dunoon-born midfielder Neil MacFarlane seemed to be the main topic for conversation in the town on the Cowal peninsula yesterday - but his wedding wasn't the focus for most Morton fans. I was over to play in the annual Gourock versus Dunoon challenge match and got talking to some of the Dunoon boys and some locals - some of whom knew MacFarlane (pictured, left: competing with Stevie Masterton at Cappielow in January) personally - over the course of the day and it would appear that the rumour that first appeared on Pie and Bovril has some substance.

I don't usually post news that hasn't been confirmed by the club or another media source but the general consensus, from various people throughout the course of the day, was that 31-year-old will be a Morton player for season 2009/10.

Full Name: Neil MacFarlane
Age: 31 (10.10.1977)
Position: Central Midfield
Born: Dunoon, Scotland
Nationality: Scottish
Height: 6' 1"
Former Clubs: Queen's Park, Kilmarnock, Queen's Park [loan], Clyde [loan], Airdrie, Hearts, Aberdeen, Gretna
Current Club: Queen Of The South

Dumbarton Away

Earlier today Morton were drawn to play Dumbarton at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium in the first round of the Alba Challenge Cup.

The tie will be played on Saturday the 25th of July.

SFL - The Alba Challenge Cup 2009/10

dumbartonfootball club.com - Sons Draw Morton

Monti Follows Cuthbert's Lead

Former Celtic youngster Carlo Monti is the latest Morton player to renew his contract this month.

The left sided player spent the last couple of months of the season at Cappielow - in which time he made 3 starts, 1 substitute appearance and scored a belter of a goal away to Dunfermline (pictured, above left: celebrating with Peter Weatherson and Iain Russell) - and has signed on for a further 2 years.

In today's Greenock Telegraph Monti explains that he had other offers but signed a new contract with us because he felt a sense of loyalty after we gave him a chance after he'd been released by Celtic: "I had a few [offers from clubs], but Morton gave me my chance. I wanted to show some loyalty back to them."

Greenock Telegraph - Monti's A Ton (27.05.2009)

gmfc.net - Player News

Annan Fixture Confirmed

Morton will kick-off their pre-season with a trip to Annan Athletic on the 11th of July.

The fixture - confirmed on Annan Athletic's website and in the Greenock Telegraph - sees Davie Irons return to the club where he began his managerial career. He told the Tele's Roger Graham: "I am delighted at possibly taking Morton to play my old club Annan now they are a league side. I keep in touch with Derek Townsley and had said I would try to fit them in.

"They had a good first season and will be looking to improve again. For us, it may well be our first pre-season match."

This will be Morton's first visit to Galabank since Annan stepped up to the Scottish Football League - but we have met in a Scottish Cup fixture as a recently as the 2006/07 seasonc(pictured, above left). In that second round tie we emerged with a comfortable 3-0 victory with goals from Stewart Greacen, Peter Weatherson and Jamie Stevenson.

Greenock Telegraph - Ton Prepare Friendly Fire (21.05.2009)

annanathleticfc.com - Annan Athletic v Greenock Morton

Cuthbert Signs New Deal

After a week of doubt Morton goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert has finally put pen to paper on a new two year deal at Cappielow.

According to the Greenock Telegraph Cuthbert (pictured, left) had been considering an offer from an another club (rumoured to be either Ross County or Livingston). He said: "Talks are going on with Morton but I am considering another offer. I don’t want to say too much about it at the moment. Hopefully I’ll get something sorted out soon, but I am not going to rush into anything for the sake of it"

Morton manager Davie Irons expressed his pleasure at extending the keeper's contract on the official website: "We're delighted to have reached an agreement with Kevin which will keep him at Cappielow for the next couple of seasons."

gmfc.net - Player News

Greenock Telegraph - Cuthbert Talks To Another Club (22.05.2009)

Last Chance Saloon

Morton defender Davie MacGregor has been given one last chance to prove he can get over his injury troubles - or he will be released.

The versatile defender's contract expired this month but has been given a contract extension until July so that he can have an operation and then show he can recover.

Davie Irons told the Greenock Telegraph's Roger Graham about MacGregor's situation: "David’s been given an extension of his contract to the end of July to allow him to have an operation. He will have to prove his fitness.

“He’s had a bad run of injuries and this is his last chance to show he can recover.”

MacGregor (pictured, above left: in his early days at Cappielow) is Morton's longest serving player having originally signed for the club in 1999. In 10 seasons at Cappielow he has made 202 starts, 15 substitute appearances and scored 5 goals.

Greenock Telegraph - Tight For Ton Says Irons As He Looks Ahead (21.05.2009)

1 Year Extensions For Wake And Walker

Alex Walker and Brian Wake (pictured, left) have extended their time at Morton by signing new 1 year deals over the weekend.

Like Kevin Cuthbert, Walker's and Wake's contracts were set to expire this month but unlike the goalkeeper they have been able to agree terms. However, Davie Irons told the Greenock Telegraph's Roger Graham that Cuthbert is still in discussions with the club.

Former Rangers defender Chris Smith will not be getting a new deal while youngsters Liam Kerrigan, Lee Mitchell, Darren McGeough and Troy McKerrell have been released. They join Jamie Stevenson, Kieran McAnespie and Jon Newby in this summer's exodus.

Colin Stewart - who has another year on his contract - has been told he is surplus to requirements and can find another club.

gmfc.net - Player News

Greenock Telegraph - Walker, Wake Get New Deals For A Season (18.05.2009)

Irons' Contract Is Not Up

Morton manager Davie Irons has one year left on the contract he signed last summer according to chairman Douglas Rae.

The talk seemed to be that Irons' (pictured, left) contract was up this month but in today's Greenock Telegraph Rae has stated that he still has another year to go:

Uncertainty about whether or not the manager’s own contract was up at the end of the season was removed when the chairman said: “He has a year left to go. He has a number of names in mind for players coming, but nothing definite as yet.”

So depending on your viewpoint the good news, or bad news, is that we will start season 2009/10 with Davie Irons in the Morton hotseat.

Greenock Telegraph - No Movement Yet On Players At Cappielow (15.05.2009)

Morton 0 - 2 Ross County

Morton 0 -
Ross County 2 - Brittain (55), Higgins (67)

Att: 1956

Match report to follow...







Morton (3-5-2):

1. Cuthbert - 6
2. McManus - 6
3. Walker - 5
4. McGuffie - 6
5. Greacen (c) - 5
6. Masterton - 6
7. Finlayson - 6 (14. Wake - 62 mins)
8. Monti - 7
9. Weatherson - 5 (15. Grady - 62 mins)
10. Russell - 4
11. McAlister - 6

Subs Not Used:

12. Paartalu
16. Smith
20. McWilliams

Cuthbert
Greacen McManus Walker
Finlayson McGuffie Masterton Monti McAlister
Russell Weatherson

Ross County: Soutar, McCulloch, Boyd, Watt, Dowie, Brittain, Lawson, Golabek, Stewart (Hart 63), Higgins (Gardyne 85), Brewster (Daal 68)

Subs Not Used: Scott, Malin.

Booked: Higgins.

My man of the match: Carlo Monti

Sponsor's man of the match: Jim McAlister


Matchday Programme (Click to enlarge)

Greenock Telegraph match report

Greenock Telegraph - match reaction

BBC match report

The Daily Record match report

The Scottish Sun match report

Greenock Morton - Who Are Ya?

Morton are featured in the regular Who Are Ya? article in the June edition of FourFourTwo magazine. The answers to the questions - which you can read by clicking on the image below - were provided by Morton webmaster Andy Morrison (pictured, left).

This is the third time we have been the subject of the article. In the July 2007 edition Ewan 'Nach0king' MacDonald provided the answers and going further back Phil Fox also told FourFourTwo readers who Morton are.

Dunfermline Athletic 2 - 1 Morton

Dunfermline Athletic 2 - Loy (56), Kirk (86)
Morton 1 - Monti (62)

Att: 1438

Match report to follow...









Morton (3-5-2):

1. Cuthbert - 6
2. McManus - 6
3. Walker - 6
4. McGuffie - 6 (15. Paartalu - 90 mins)
5. Greacen (c) - 6
6. Masterton - 6
7. Finlayson - 4
8. Monti - 6
9. Weatherson - 5 (14. Wake - 78 mins)
10. Russell - 5
11. McAlister - 6

Subs Not Used:

12. Grady
16. Smith
20. McWilliams

Cuthbert
Greacen McManus Walker
Finlayson Monti Masterton McGuffie McAlister
Russell Weatherson

Dunfermline: Gallacher, Ross, Wilson (Loy 25), Phinn, Muirhead, McCann, David Graham, Glass, Bayne, Kirk, Burke.

Subs Not Used: Willis, McBride, Lee Graham, Paterson.


My man of the match: Andy Kirk (Dunfermline)

Sponsor's man of the match:


Matchday Programme (Click to enlarge)

Greenock Telegraph match report

BBC match report

The Daily Record match report

The Scottish Sun match report

Tontastic Pictures

dafc.co.uk - match report

dafc.co.uk - Jim McIntyre's match reaction

dafc.co.uk - Andy Kirk's match reaction

Another English Team To Visit Cappielow In Pre-Season

Crawley Town are the second English side to announce that they will be playing a pre-season friendly against Morton at Cappielow this July.

The fixture was confirmed on Crawley's official website last Wednesday. The story states that the match will be played on Monday the 13th of July with a 7.30pm kick-off.

Crawley, like Oxford United, play their football in the Blue Square Premier and finished in 9th place this season.

The West Sussex team were Dominic Shimmin's most recent club before he signed for Morton (pictured, above left: posing with the Crawley shirt) . He spent just under two months at Broadfield Park in which time he only made 2 first team appearances due to injury.

crawleytownfc.net - Reds Confirm Scotland For Pre-Season Trip (29.04.2009)

crawleytownfc.net - Breaking News: Reds Secure Bright Star (08.02.2008)

crawleytownfc.net - Breaking News: Duo Depart (27.03.2008)

St. Johnstone 3 - 1 Morton

St. Johnstone 3 - Hardie (29), Milne (51, 79)
Morton 1 - McGuffie (pen 20)

Att: 6453

Match report to follow...




















Morton (3-4-3):

1. Cuthbert - 6
2. McManus - 5
3. Walker - 6
4. Paartalu - 5 (15. Smith - 80 mins)
5. Greacen (c) - 5
6. Monti - 5
7. Finlayson - 5
8. McGuffie - 7
9. Weatherson - 5
10. Grady - 5 (12. Russell - 66 mins)
11. Wake - 5

Subs Not Used:

14. Jenkins
16. Kerrigan
20. McWilliams

Booked: Greacen, Wake.

Cuthbert
Greacen McManus Walker
Finlayson Paartalu McGuffie Monti
Grady Weatherson Wake

St. Johnstone: Main, Irvine, Craig, Moon (Morris 80), Rutkiewicz, McCaffrey, Millar, Hardie (Swankie 87), Milne, Samuel (Holmes 70), Sheerin.

Subs Not Used: Anderson, McLean .

Booked: McCaffrey


My man of the match: Steven Milne (St. Johnstone)

Sponsor's man of the match:


Matchday Programme (Click to enlarge)

Greenock Telegraph match report

Greenock Telegraph match reaction

BBC match report

The Daily Record match report

The Scottish Sun match report

Tontastic Pictures

perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk - match report

Morton To Play Oxford United

Morton will play Oxford United in a pre-season friendly this summer according to the Oxford Mail.

The match - to be played on a Saturday in July - will be part of Oxford's mini Scottish tour in which they will also play a closed doors match with Hibs.

Oxford manager Chris Wilder said: “They will start back on July 8 and there’ll be some pre-season games before we go up to Scotland. We’ve pencilled in a game at Morton on a Saturday and the behind-closed-doors game at Hibs will be on the Tuesday before we head back that night.”

Oxford finished 7th in the Blue Square Premier this season.

Oxford Mail - United Off To Scotland For Pre-Season (29.04.2009)