Match Preview: Dundee United
MORTON versus Dundee United
Saturday 31 March 2018
Cappielow Park, Greenock
Kick-off 3pm
Match Preview
Morton welcome Dundee United to Cappielow tomorrow as the third and fourth-placed sides in the Ladbrokes Championship square off in a fixture that could have real ramifications in the race for the play-offs.
Just one point separates the clubs as things stand and a win for either outfit would prove a huge boost in their respective bids to secure a spot in the top four.
Jim Duffy’s men are in reasonable form having gone three games undefeated after draws with Livingston and Dunfermline Athletic followed by last weekend’s 2-0 win over Brechin City.
The Tannadice outfit, on the other hand, have won just one of their last eight fixtures in all competitions, drawing two and losing two, including a midweek defeat away at Inverness Caley, of their most recent four outings.
Csaba Laszlo will be hoping his side can re-energise their campaign by claiming a positive result tomorrow, but Greenock gaffer Duffy will also be targeting a victory in order to open up a four-point advantage on the Arabs.
While the outcome will not prove decisive with a month of the 2017/18 regular campaign still to play, it could have a significant say in the final shake-up.
Manager’s Thoughts
Team News
Jamie McGowan, Ross Forbes, and Jai Quitongo remain sidelined through injury, while skipper Lee Kilday has joined Airdrie on loan until the end of the season.
However, Gary Harkins is back in contention after serving a one-match suspension against Brechin City, as does Robert Thomson following a goal-scoring return from injury for the Under-20s.
Current Connections
Frontman Robert Thomson is a product of the Dundee United youth academy and made two first-team appearances, coming off the bench in matches against St Mirren and Dundee in season 2012/13.
Dundee United recruited Paul McMullan in the summer following his release by Celtic, from whom he spent three months of the 2015/16 season on loan with us here at Cappielow, scoring one goal in 11 appearances.
Recent Meetings
Sat 23 Sep 2017: Dundee United 2-1 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 6 May 2017: Morton 1-1 Dundee United (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 9 Dec 2017: Morton 0-2 Dundee United (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 27 Jan 2018: Dundee United 0-3 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Out
A Thomas O’Ware header and wonder goals from Scott Tiffoney and Jack Iredale earned Ton all three points for the first time since Jim Rooney and Bobby Russell netted in a 2-1 triumph back in September 1978.
The result meant Jim Duffy’s side had recorded back-to-back wins after a 2-1 Scottish Cup success away at Dunfermline Athletic.
Officials
Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant one: Ross Haswell
Assistant two: David Dunne
Supporters Notes
Supporters are asked to purchase tickets in advance for all home fixtures where possible in order to avoid excessive queues at the ticket office on a matchday, with briefs still available from the following outlets:
Smiths of Greenock – During opening hours, 9am – 5.30pm.
Sinclair Street ticket office – Home matchdays, from 11am to 3pm.
Match tickets can also be purchased in advance online at www.gmfctickets.co.uk or by calling the club on 01475 723571. These can collected at the ticket office on matchday.
Tomorrow’s Ladbrokes Championship fixture against the Tannadice outfit can also be pre-loaded to fan cards on Interstadia’s dedicated club website, www.gmfctickets.co.uk.
Admission Prices
Tickets purchased after 1pm on a matchday are priced at:
Adults – £20*
Concessions – £15
Children aged 12-16 – £5
Children under 12^ – Free
*£2 from each adult admission will be invested directly into our youth development programme.
^ Children under 12 who do not have a season card or fan card will be required to collect a match ticket with a scannable barcode from our ticket office on the day of the game and must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
However, fans who purchase tickets in advance – prior to 1pm on matchday – will enjoy a freeze upon last year’s pay-at-the-gate prices and these are:
Adults – £18
Concessions – £15
Children aged 12-16 – £5
Children under 12^ – Free
If you do intend to purchase a ticket at Cappielow after 1pm, please allow for the fact that there may be a queue at the ticket office.
Sinclair Street
Vehicles, on exiting the car park, must turn left and exit under the railway bridge, turn right into Carwood Street if travelling towards Greenock town centre, or the second left into Weir Street if travelling towards Port Glasgow.
Image: Gary Bradley
