MORTON will begin their season on the road this year after the Betfred Cup ties were announced yesterday.

The Ton will head to Ayr on Saturday July 14 in their first group game match, and face a quick turnaround for their next tie.

They face fellow Championship side Partick Thistle at Firhill on Tuesday July 17 in their second consecutive away match.

Morton’s first competitive home game of the season will be against League One side Stenhousemuir on Saturday July 21.

The Ton’s last group game will be at home to Albion Rovers on Saturday July 28.

The eight group winners and four best runners-up progress to the last 16, where they are joined by European qualifiers Celtic, Aberdeen, Rangers and Hibernian. 

The draw will be made on Sunday July 29 following coverage of Hearts v Inverness Caley Thistle.

Morton will be hoping to improve on last season, where they finished second in their group, but did not gain enough points to earn a best runners-up spot in the round of 16.

With no Premiership opposition this year, and two fellow Championship teams in their pool, Ray McKinnon’s side have an easier group than some others.

The Championship season begins the week after the Betfred Cup group stage concludes on August 4, with the fixture list to be published on.