WITH Morton’s fate finally sealed last weekend, their miserable 2013-14 season is almost over.

Just three fixtures remain, the first of which brings visitors Dundee to Cappielow tomorrow afternoon.

The Dark Blues are the first of the trio of promotion-chasing clubs to face Kenny Shiels’ relegated side, with Falkirk following them to Greenock next Saturday before the Ton conclude their campaign with a fixture at New Douglas Park against Hamilton.

Two of the three outfits will find themselves in play-off positions when the 36-game season ends, coveted slots which Morton were aiming for back in August last year as hostilities got under way.

How different the reality proved to be.

Last Saturday’s reverse at Alloa consigned them to the drop and put everyone out of their misery after a couple of weeks where the inevitable had been delayed by a couple of unexpected victories.

If those results over Dumbarton and Livingston were in danger of putting a misleading gloss on what has been a disastrous campaign, then it was business as usual again at Recreation Park six days ago.

If eyebrows were raised amongst the assembled press corps about just how meekly Morton surrendered in the end, then the dwindling band of travelling supporters will have been less surprised — they have, frankly, seen it all before.

If any good is to come out of such a pathetic performance, then it’s surely the fact that it reinforces what needs to be done in the summer.

With very few exceptions, this is a squad of players which has spectacularly failed to meet even the most modest of expectations.

A mass clear-out is therefore surely on the way.

If the manager had a scintilla of doubt in his mind over one or two individuals then displays like the one at Alloa should make it easy for him.

With a trio of games left against the teams still with something to play for at the top end of the table, there have been statements made about playing for pride, putting on performances and being professional towards all remaining opponents and their respective agendas.

It is all much, much too late for talk like that.

Irrespective of what happens in this 270 minutes of football, for Morton the damage was done long ago and similarly the dye should be well and truly cast in terms of the future for the overwhelming majority of players still at the club.

While on the park it is now just a case of tying up loose ends, off the field there are big questions to be answered by chairman Douglas Rae.

He said a few weeks ago that he would be waiting until the end of the season to make decisions about the future of the club, Kenny Shiels’ post and whether or not to maintain a full-time operation.

Mr Rae said he wanted time to come to terms with the pain of relegation first.

A period of reflection was undoubtedly a good idea, but a few weeks have passed now since his comments and at this stage surely it would be preferable for decisions to be taken sooner rather than later?

Firstly, the bitter pill of relegation is not going to be any easier to swallow in a few weeks’ time, it is a reality that is here and it has to be dealt with.

Secondly, it should be patently obvious by now that there is a lot of work to do to put things right and time is of the essence.

The sooner it is known who will be in charge in the dugout, what the working set-up will be, what the budget will look like and what changes will be implemented to tackle the club’s chronic under-achievement then the better for its chances of properly recovering from this almighty, humbling setback.

Player removal and recruitment is going to be absolutely critical, that is one thing surely everyone can agree on.

Those in charge at Sinclair Street have been at pains to stress that the January transfer window is not an ideal market to operate in and have stressed how the summer version is the important one.

Well, it’s rapidly approaching and the club have to get their house in order soon, and start identifying the right players.

It can’t be overlooked that it took Morton four attempts to escape the third tier the last time they were there and — for the most part — there was a feelgood factor around the club then which has long since evaporated.

With that in mind there can be nothing like a guarantee that they will bounce back at the first time of asking.

The manager has declared he wants to stay, oversee changes in the operation of the club and win promotion.

He’s also talked about a pathway to the Premiership, which is at best wildly optimistic stuff in the current climate.

While every fan wants to hear ambitious noises coming from their club, Morton are going to have to learn to walk before they can run — and make no mistake, they have a long, hard road ahead of them, with a lot of uncertainty in the way.

TEAM LATEST KENNY Shiels says he is suffering from something of a mini injury crisis with seven players almost certain to be out for the visit of league leaders Dundee.

Long-term absentees Reece Hands, Ben Sampayo, and David O’Brien all remain sidelined, while recent additions to the injury list Garry O’Connor, Marc Fitzpatrick and Jack Smith are also major doubts.

The latest visitor to the treatment table is midfielder David Robertson, who had to be subbed after 34 minutes of last Saturday’s defeat at Alloa Athletic due to an ankle injury.

It is unlikely he will have recovered in time to face the Dark Blues. Meanwhile, development squad defender Mark Russell is expected to retain his place at left-back in place of Fitzpatrick after impressing there against the Wasps in what was only his second first-team start.

TRAVEL NOTES THE Albert Hotel Morton Supporters’ bus for Ton’s Scottish Championship game against Dundee at Cappielow tomorrow will leave the hotel at 2.30pm.

Prices are £2.50 for adults return and £1.50 for concessions return.

No need to pre-book, all are welcome.