Match Preview: Celtic
Celtic versus MORTON
Saturday 3 March 2018
Celtic Park, Glasgow
Kick-off 12.30pm
Match Preview
Morton travel through to Glasgow tomorrow to face Celtic in a William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final tie that looks set to survive the Siberian snow that has blanketed most of the country through the week.
Chief executive Warren Hawke today issued a plea to the authorities to make spectator safety of paramount importance when considering whether to give the game the go ahead.
Although the Parkhead playing surface is in pristine condition and the area around the stadium is clear, the former Ton player is concerned for fans travelling to the ground.
The Scottish FA issued a statement late this afternoon, with interim chief executive Andrew McKinlay saying: ‘As it stands, there are no plans to call off any of the William Hill Scottish Cup sixth round fixtures.’
Should things proceed as normal tomorrow, it will be the third time in the space of seven days that a Ton fixture has overcome adverse conditions after pitch inspections up in Inverness and at home to Livingston.
Jim Duffy and his team turn their attentions away from the league campaign to a daunting final-eight cup tie at the home of the Scottish champions.
He insists, however, that his players are excited for the tie rather than anxious about going up against the nation’s best side in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Although they lost 3-0 on their last visit two years ago – a match in which five players who are likely to feature tomorrow were involved – the Ton have shown winning at Celtic Park is not impossible.
Back on 24 September 2013, Dougie Imrie smashed home an extra-time penalty to fire the Cappielow club to a shock victory in the League Cup. Can lightning strike twice in the same place in the space of five years?
Manager’s Thoughts
Team News
Lee Kilday, Jamie McGowan, Ross Forbes, Robert Thomson, Jai Quitongo, and Luca Gasparotto all remain sidelined, but Jack Iredale has joined in the limited training sessions so far this week and could be involved.
New emergency loan signing John Baird, who made his Morton debut in Tuesday’s league loss to Livingston, is cup tied after featuring for parent club Inverness Caledonian Thistle earlier in the tournament.
Current Connections
Manager Jim Duffy started his playing career with the Parkhead club in the late 1970s. He did not feature for the first team before joining us here at Cappielow in 1982, although he did appear in Glasgow Cup ties.
Michael Tidser and Michael Doyle also started out with the Glasgow outfit without making a senior bow, with the former coming through the ranks and skippering the Under-19s prior to a short stint in Sweden with Ostersunds.
Recent Meetings
Mon 8 Mar 1999: Morton 0-3 Celtic (Tennent’s Scottish Cup, quarter-finals)
Tue 19 Jan 2010: Morton 0-1 Celtic (Active Nation Scottish Cup, fourth round)
Tue 24 Sep 2013: Celtic 0-1* Morton (League Cup, third round)
Sun 6 Mar 2016: Celtic 3-0 Morton (William Hill Scottish Cup, quarter-final)
*AET
Last Time Out
Morton lost 3-0 away to Premiership champions Celtic in the quarter-finals of the William Hill Scottish Cup in a 12pm kick-off in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
They were swept aside by a Parhead side that surged into a comfortable three-goal lead to put the final-eight fixture to bed inside the first 45 minutes.
Ton gave a better account of themselves after the break and prevented Ronny Deila’s outfit from adding to their lead despite twice hitting the woodwork.
Officials
Referee: John Beaton
Assistant one: Alastair Mather
Assistant two: Alan Mulvanny
Fourth official: Greg Aitken
Supporters Notes
A limited number of tickets will be available at Smiths of Greenock tomorrow morning. Prices are:
Adult: £20
Concession (Under 16s, over 65s): £15
Child under 13: £10
Please note, we have been informed by Celtic Football Club that there will be no tickets available to purchase at Celtic Park on the day of the game.
All match tickets ordered over the telephone in order to be posted out were sent via recorded delivery no later than 2pm on Tuesday 27 February. Arrival will be subject to the Royal Mail service in your area.
Travel Club Info
The Gourock Morton Supporters’ have three buses for tomorrow’s Scottish Cup quarter-final tie against Celtic, which are all FULL.
Departure from the Royalle Club in Gourock is 10.30am and pick ups are available en-route. Costs are £6 for adults and £4 for concessions (OAPs and under-16s).
The Greenock Morton Supporters Club have three buses, which are all FULL, for the fixture at Celtic Park and leave the club at 11am with pick ups en-route. Visitor prices are £7 for adults and £5 for OAPs and under-16s.
Travellers are asked to arrive as early as possible. If you would like to be added to a reserve list, text Martin on 07958080010. Alternatively, book seats through Facebook or Twitter or email: gmsctravel@gmail.com.
The Port Glasgow Morton Travel Club have two buses for tomorrow’s Scottish Cup quarter-final tie against Celtic, which are both FULL.
The buses will be leaving The Sutherland Bar at 11.30am and travellers have been asked to please be there early to be on the road for 11.30am sharp.
Image: Kenny Ramsay
