McGowan To Sign For A Six Figure Sum

On page 59 of today's Sun in a small item titled 'Ton set to net Paul' Paul Hughes says Morton hope to sign Paul McGowan for a six figure sum.

McInally says we can't afford Celtic's asking price of £150,000 and is quoted as saying it's about time this deal was sorted out as it's unfair on McGowan.

I assume the six figure sum is £100,000 and for me that's far too much but with the season rapidly approaching and Sturm signing for Dundee we don't have much choice.

Sturm Signs For Dundee

A Dundee fan on Pie and Bovril has posted a link to an article on the Tay FM website which carries the story that Dundee have beaten Morton and Gretna to sign Jani Sturm.

Update : Also confirmed on Dundee's official website.

http://www.tayfm.co.uk/article.asp?ID=15381

http://www.thedees.co.uk/news_detail.asp?ID=2036

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee/6926711.stm

Update On Morton's Player Bids

The images of today's Greenock Telegraph's front and back pages are already online.

From what I can make out Morton are having to wait on McGowan and there is to be another meeting with Jani Sturm's agent today.

Update : Douglas Rae was to have a meeting with Sturm's agent today, which must not have went very well after hearing the news he has signed for Dundee.

This makes the Paul McGowan situation much more important now and according to Roger Graham we have made Celtic an offer in writing and are waiting for their reply.

Jay Shields has also been offered a contract.

Where Are They Now

The Evening Times website carries a story about Filip Sebo and how the Austria Vienna financial director couldn't believe his luck at getting £1.8 million for Sebo. Tucked away at the bottom of the article was a snippet revealing that former Rangers left back David Robertson is joining ex-Ibrox keeper Ally Maxwell in coaching at a youth club in Phoenix in the U.S.A. On Maxwell's wikipedia profile it says that the team in question is Sereno Soccer Club.

Ally began his career at Motherwell where he will be forever remembered for his heroic performance in the 1991 Scottish Cup final. He moved on to Rangers where he is similarly remembered for his performance in a Scottish Cup final, however these memories aren't so positive as Gers fans generally blame him for the winning goal - he blasted the ball off Christian Dailly who's shot off the post was tapped in by Craig Brewster.

From there he joined Dundee United where he spent three years. One of his most important matches in that time was in the final game of the 1995-96 season - a 2-2 draw against Morton at Cappielow.

Maxwell joined Morton on the 18th September 1998 shortly after Hugh Scott had fervently denied that he was seeking to replace David Wylie with a new goalkeeper.

Maxwell's first two seasons with Morton were 1998/99 and 1999 /00, two seasons in which I personally think he was an excellent performer for Morton. A calm and assured presence at the back and for me a marked improvement on the by then declining Morton hero David Wylie.

However, Maxwell was highly criticised for his conduct in the 2000/01 season. Allegations that he feigned injury to save himself from having to play were made against him by some fans (not me might I add, as I had no way of knowing if this was true). The criticism was heightened by the fact that as a result of Maxwell's alleged reluctance to play young goalkeeper Andy Carlin was thrown in to the first team in spite of his obvious failure to cope with the pressures that came with top team football in a team in crisis. Carlin played week in week out until Stuart Webster stepped in after Carlin made a gesture to Morton fans who were giving him stick about his performances in goal.

Maxwell took over as manger when Allan Evans departed in late January 2001 but he couldn't save the club from relegation. His final act as player and manager was to introduce himself as an outfield substitute in the 3-0 win at Alloa on the last day of the season.

After leaving Morton Maxwell took up a coaching role at Hamilton Accies.

Morton Career (all competitions)

Player

1998/99 - Played - 33, Clean Sheets - 10
1999/00 - Played - 38, Clean Sheets - 10, Red Cards - 1
2000/01 - Played - 1 (1*), Clean Sheets - 0 *Sub appearance as a striker

Total - Played 72 (1 sub), Clean Sheets - 20, Red Cards - 1

Manager (Feb 2001 - May 2001)

Played 15 - Won 5, Drew 3, Lost 7

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.1584261.0.0.php

Video of Rangers v Dundee United Cup Final Mistake : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJCmreBvqfE

Wikipedia Profile : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ally_Maxwell

East Stirling 0 - 0 Morton XI

A Morton reserve side drew 0 - 0 with East Stirling at Little Kerse tonight. According to the East Stirling official website the Shire team, like their opponents, was mainly made up of reserves and included ex-Morton player Kevin Struthers.

Morton team : Trialist, Keenan, Trialist, Gilbride, Phillips, Mitchell, McGeough, Graham, Coakley, Templeman, Seidou

Match Report : http://www.eaststirlingfc.co.uk/shire0morton0.html

Davie Irons Predicts A 6th Place Finish For Morton

In an article on the BBC sport website 'new' Gretna manager Davie Irons (pictured left) analyzes this season's first division clubs chances and makes a prediction of where they will finish. On Morton he says :

"One of the new teams in the league.

Morton have always been one of the larger provincial clubs in Scotland and have a big support.

I think Jim McInally and Martin Clark have done a good job and this could lead to high expectations among the Greenock fans.

But I think a season of consolidation may be the limit for Morton this year."

David's prediction: 6th

You can read the rest of his predictions here : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/6923897.stm

Injury Updates

Roger Graham also updates us on the injury situation in today's Tele' :

David MacGregor (pictured) was subbed on Saturday as the result of a knee problem.

David McGurn has injured thumbs.

Bobby Linn has suffered a reoccurence of his achilles injury, presumably in the bounce match against Rangers or training.

Craig Black's injury is not as bad as first feared - after his plaster was removed they discovered he hadn't broken anything.

Scott McLaughlin is out for a at least two months with a wrist injury suffered at Gretna.

http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/article.php?sec=sport&id=9220

Morton To Make Serious Bids For Three Players

Today's Greenock Telegraph carries a back page exclusive by Roger Graham. Graham reveals that Morton will be going for Paul McGowan, Jani Sturm and Jay Shields in the next two days.

Jani Sturm : McInally will meet with Sturm's agent today for talks. McInally says that Sturm has been out injured for a long time but feels he is worth the risk.

Jay Shields : McInally will talk with Shields today.

Paul McGowan : Jim McInally will talk to Celtic manager Gordon Strachan about getting McGowan for a more realistic asking price than the £150,000 mentioned. McGowan is also quoted as saying he would love to come back.

http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/article.php?sec=sport&id=9221