Kilmarnock v Morton Preview

In recent seasons some of Morton's biggest highs have been as a result of beating SPL opposition in the cup. Who will ever forget beating Hibs 4-3 last season or Kilmarnock 3-1 in 2006/07? Not me anyway. So tonight's fixture, away to old foes Killie, will give us the chance to experience those highs again; highs that are all the sweeter when they're against a team that we have a real rivalry with. One that goes back to the mid to late '80s and possibly even further.

However, the match doesn't just present us with another opportunity to hit the headlines with a a cliched giant killing it also offers the Rugby Park side the chance to gain some revenge for the 3-1 reverse in January 2007. Frazer Wright is one of five players who survive from that day (Simon Ford, Garry Hay, Danny Invincible and James Fowler are the others) and he has told the Scottish Sun's Ewing Grahame and Willie Cochrane he is determined to avoid a similar result, he said: "Morton were in the Second Division when they knocked us out. We scored first but then collapsed due to bad defending, and we don't want to make those mistakes again.We were locked in the dressing room for around 45 minutes to an hour afterwards with the manager and Billy shouting at us. We certainly don't want to experience that again because it's just not fun."

I believe that both teams are a good bit stronger now than they were then. We have moved up a league and have a superior squad with additions like Allan Jenkins, Ryan McGuffie, Neil MacFarlane, Dominic Shimmin Allan McManus and Kevin Cuthbert providing strength, experience, ability and know how. Sadly Cuthbert and Shimmin are long term injuries and miss out tonight as does former Killie goalkeeper Colin Stewart while Bryn Halliwell's short term contract has expired and the club haven't announced an extension. This means Ryan McWilliams continues in goal, otherwise we have no frsh injury concerns.

Unfortunately, I also believe that our opponents have improved in the last two years. Kevin Kyle - who should be uber confident after hearing of his Scotland call up today - and Mehdi Taouil are big threats while former Celtic wonder kid Mark Burchill is in line to make his debut. Alan Combe returns in goal and Danny Invincible and Garry Hay look set to start to give the home team as good a chance of vitory as possible.

I fancy Davie Irons to go back to the 4-5-1 for this one to give us more numbers at the back and in midfield. The key battle could be between Stewart Greacen and Kyle and whoever comes out on top in that battle of the giants could go a long way to determining which team wins the tie but I think Kyle will be too strong for the Ton captain and Kilmarnock will be too good for us.



Admisson Prices*

Adults - £15
Concessions (Over 65's, Under 18's & Students with photgraphic card) - £10
Under 16's - £5

*from gmfc.net: here


Last Meeting

06.01.2007 - Scottish Cup 3rd Round
Morton 3 - 1 Kilmarnock


Possible line up

McWilliams
McGuffie Greacen McManus MacGregor
Finlayson Masterton MacFarlane Jenkins McAlister
Weatherson

Betting (high street prices)

Morton are best priced at 5/1 with and .
Kilmarnock are 8/15 with .
The Draw is 10/3 with .


My Predicition

Kilmarnock 2 - 0 Morton

The Scottish Sun - Mortified (25.08.2009)