Greenock Telegraph | Sport | Ton draw blank against Celtic

Friday, 9th January, 2009

Published: Friday, 14th November, 2008 12:30

Ton draw blank against Celtic

By Steven McArthur

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Morton 0 Celtic XI 0

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ATTACKING PLAY: Peter Weatherson shields the ball from Darren O’Dea at Cappielow.

Pic by: James McFadden

DESPITE a relatively uninspiring scoreless draw, Morton boss Davie Irons was delighted to have kept his charges in shape against a tough Celtic XI at Cappielow last night.

Largely made up of reserves, the Celtic side travelled to Greenock with first-team challengers Paul Caddis, Darren O’Dea, Ben Hutchison and Scottish cup winner Jean-Joel Perrier Doumbe.

And Irons, whose side have no game tomorrow due to the Alba Challenge Cup final, was happy to keep his side ticking over against quality opposition.

He said: “It was a good workout, especially considering we have no game. We created some good chances, and I felt we had the best of them in the first half.

“Peter Weatherson had one of the best opportunities, with his header at the back post, but he couldn’t direct it.

“All in all, it was a good exercise, against some quality players who have been there or thereabouts for the Celtic first team.”

Ton came out of the traps flying, looking to give something back to the diligent home support who packed the main stand to the rafters.

After only five minutes, Weatherson found space at the edge of the box, but was unable to find the target as he had done twice against Queen of the South last Saturday, lashing over giant Celtic keeper Dom Cervi’s bar.

Ton then had an excellent opportunity from a corner, as Finlayson fluffed his initial effort then drove across the box with his second go, and as the ball broke to Jim McAlister, the winger fired in a fine effort that Cervi again just got his hands to, directing the ball away from the waiting Iain Russell.

Russell then found himself through, but as the last man cynically took him down, no card was issued.

Colin Stewart was lucky to get away with a fumble on 25 minutes, before Kevin Finlayson flighted in a delightful ball to pick out unmarked Weatherson, but the big striker could only direct his header into Cervi’s hands.

Greenock kid Mark Millar was starting to come more into the game for Celtic, but the half frittered out with no clear chances at 0-0.

Ryan Harding returned in the second half, and Kieran McAnespie, Colin Marshall and Gerard Brown were all given chances to shine, but Ton were pressed back by their opposition.

Harding almost gave the game away, gifting Ben Hutchison possession but the strike lashed over.

Ton created some chances, but were mostly restricted to pot-shots from outwith the 18-yard box. The best opportunity fell to Weatherson, who picked up with Cervi stranded, and his left-foot effort from an acute angle was cleared off the line by some last-ditch defending by O’Dea.

All in all, neither team really seemed like scoring, but Ton boss Irons insists in matches like these, the results are not important.

He added: “Keeping up match practise is important, and it benefited us as a team. I was delighted to have had the game against Celtic.

“And it doesn’t matter where the Old Firm go, they always have a good support.”

Morton: Stewart, MacGregor, Smith, McManus, Greacen, Masterton, Finlayson, Walker, Weatherson, Russell, McAlister. Subs: Harding, McAnespie, Marshall, Brown, McWilliams.

Celtic: Cervi, Caddis, Doumbe, Cawley, Marr, O’Dea, Mizuno, Millar, Hutchison, McGowan, Conroy. Subs: Gaughan, Carey, Lafferty, Tidser, Tonell, Graham, Girodano.

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