IT was six years ago this weekend that the Tele told of Morton fans' furious reaction to Ray McKinnon’s shock departure from the club to take over as Falkirk manager.

McKinnon was officially unveiled as the new Bairns boss after just three months at the helm in Greenock – taking assistant Darren Taylor with him.

The two sides are due to lock horns at Cappielow this afternoon - and though McKinnon has long side moved on from both clubs, and now manages League Two side Forfar Athletic, it's probably fair to say that his departure still rankles among the Ton support.

Morton chairman Crawford Rae appointed the former Dundee United boss to replace Jim Duffy in May 2018, and a three-year plan was set in motion, with the aim to earn promotion to the Premiership.

But McKinnon resigned on August 31 and was confirmed as Paul Hartley’s replacement.

(Image: Newsquest)

McKinnon paid tribute to Mr Rae and the board for backing his overhaul of the squad and backroom staff in the summer.

He told the Tele at the time: “The board were different class with me. They were very supportive with everybody I’ve wanted to bring in.

“A lot of credit goes to Crawford and the board because everything, within reason, within budget, that we’ve run past them, they agreed to.

“Without their backing we couldn’t have built the squad that is at Morton.

“The fans have been fantastic with me as well.”

News of McKinnon’s departure came as a shock to Morton players.

One Ton player said: “We were all at training and it seemed like just a normal Friday when we left the training ground around 1pm. We had no idea.”

A statement from Falkirk  said: “Ray joins the club from Greenock Morton on a contract until May 2020, with assistant manage  Darren Taylor also making the switch to The Falkirk Stadium.

“After going through the appropriate procedures for permission, talks have been held with a number of candidates. Ray emerged as by far and away the outstanding choice.”

Ton chairman Mr Rae said at the time: “It is with sadness and a tinge of resentment that I report Ray McKinnon and Darren Taylor have intimated their resignation.

“While we have rejected their resignation as they are contracted to the club until 31 May 2019, it does appear that they have left us prematurely.

“Ray and Darren raised the bar and I really thought that we had something great going on. My relationship with Ray seemed to be fantastic. I genuinely thought that we had somebody special who shared our vision moving forward.

“I was at Parklea only this morning watching our team going through their final preparations for tomorrow’s encounter with Partick Thistle and I was blown away by the camaraderie and dedication all the players showed towards Ray and Darren.

“I spoke with Ray about his formations for tomorrow’s game and he intimated that he wanted to delay his starting eleven until he got to Firhill tomorrow.

“I left the training ground on an absolute high and on my way back to my car received a phone call from Falkirk to ask permission to speak with our manager."

“I was told that the friendship and the regard that Falkirk had for our club was important, which was why they chose to ask permission to speak to Ray.

“It is ironic that six hours later, Falkirk announce Ray McKinnon as their new manager, and to me it is clear that there could have been previous discussions with our manager, ahead of their phone call to me.

“We will be speaking with the appropriate counsel on our options moving forward, and we will keep our support up to speed as we look to fill our vacant managerial position.”

 Fans took to social media to express their disappointment.

One said: “We’ve been betrayed, it’s looks like a Judas type situation where a better financial offer has been made.”

Another said: “Thought we had something good building. Feel really let down by Ray McKinnon.”

Falkirk were later fined £60,000 for ‘serious rule breaches’ they committed in hiring Ray McKinnon as their manager hours after he walked out on Morton.