Scottish Cup preview: Morton set for Montrose clash

Having comfortably disposed of Bo'ness United in late November at Cappielow with the minimum of fuss, their reward was another favourable home tie, this time against League One opposition.

That gives them a golden opportunity of progression into the latter stages, where they could land an appealing draw and/or a lucrative one from a financial point of view.

Boss Dougie Imrie will demand no slip-ups from his players, as he knows the importance to his budget of being able to go deep into these competitions.

During the last 12 months Ton have played both halves of the Old Firm in knockout games and banked a substantial six-figure sum along the way from ticket receipts, competition fees and television broadcast rights.

The cash injection from those two games has been vital for the club.

In much the same way that Champions League qualification has become a gateway to and key driver of income for the big boys, making it through the League Cup group section and beyond the early rounds of the Scottish Cup can make a huge difference on the balance sheet to a club like Morton.

They have had two good home draws thus far and must now capitalise on their good fortune by grasping the chance which is in front of them.

But a banana skin will be lurking out there somewhere for one of the favourites this weekend and it's Morton's job to ensure they aren't the side caught out.

They take a break from league duty having extended their unbeaten run last weekend with a draw against Partick Thistle.

It brought the first point they have collected from the Jags this term, but they were left to rue the fact it wasn't all three.

Cheered on by a larger than usual home support in a healthy gate of over 3,500, the Greenock men were in the lead from the half-hour mark but couldn't see the game out.

They started the game very brightly, penning Partick in their own half, moving the ball with pace and purpose and getting down the flanks to good effect.

But the only thing they had to show for it was a own goal by Jack McMillan, and the failure to build on that advantage - much like the first meeting between the teams back in September - proved costly.

The sliding doors moment of the 90 minutes came early in the second half when Robbie Muirhead blazed over the bar from close range after Lewis Strapp's back post knockdown.

If Ton had gone two goals ahead at that point the smart money would have been on them to go on and seal a precious win, but Thistle's big let-off, allied to a raft of substitutions by Kris Doolan, seemed to spark them into life.

Morton meanwhile lost their way somewhat and the visitors' equalising goal when it arrived with 15 minutes left wasn't a huge surprise.

They went on to hit the post and at the end of an engrossing, sometimes bad-tempered 90 minutes a share of the spoils felt about right.

Ton will be disappointed not to be able to cut the 10-point gap between the teams but they remain handily placed in fifth and and hold a game in hand over the men from Maryhill, with just under half of the campaign still to be played.

Championship matters can take a back seat for now though, as the Gable Endies pay their visit to town since 2021, when they lost a play-off semi-final in agonising fashion to a last gasp Craig McGuffie goal.

The clubs have met since then on knockout duty, with a forgettable Challenge Cup encounter in Angus later the same year ending up goalless and settled by a penalty shootout which went the visitors' way.

Stewart Petrie and his players will be hoping it now proves a case of third time lucky for them.

They sit fourth in their division at the moment and will look to secure a play-off spot once again, with the top two of Falkirk and Hamilton realistically out of reach for them already.

The defeat they suffered against ten man Stirling Albion at home on Saturday brought a first loss in five, so they have been going reasonably well of late.

Some respite from league duty to play a team in the division above will give them a bit of impetus to raise their game and they will not be treated lightly by the home side.

Morton need to be on their toes to guard against an upset but if they can produce a competent and focused display then they should be fine.

They are on a superb run of form at present, have a fully fit squad, plenty of incentives and will be well prepared for the task ahead.

Complacency is usually the biggest threat on an occasion such as this, but Morton have a well-grounded group of players who always work hard and they can surely be relied upon to get the job done and put themselves back in the hat.