Match Preview | Airdrie
MORTON versus AIRDRIE
Scottish Championship Play-Off Final Second Leg
Friday 21 May 2021
Cappielow Park
Kick-off 7.35pm
Live on BBC Alba
by Brendan McEleny
Scene Setter
Morton compete in their final game of the 2020/21 season this evening as they host Airdrie at Cappielow Park for the second leg of the Championship play-off final.
Not only is it a decisive game in terms of determining the ‘Ton’s position for next season but tonight’s fixture will be extra special as for the first time in over a year, supporters will be allowed to enter the stadium and back the team onto victory from the stands.
On what will be a very emotional night for fans as they make their long awaited return, manager Gus MacPherson took time to commend the Morton faithful for their support all season and he hopes they can play their part in helping the team get over the line against the Diamonds.
The Sinclair Street side have the advantage heading into tonight’s second leg after Robbie Muirhead provided a late winner on Tuesday night but the ‘Ton boss admitted post-match that there was still much work to be done if his side was to maintain their Championship status for next season.
Team News
Aidan McAdams is still recovering from the hamstring injury he sustained in last Tuesday’s game against Montrose.
Morton Milestones and Significant Stats
5 – Aidan Nesbitt is the top goalscorer for the club this term with a total of 5 goals.
34 – The ‘Ton have scored 34 goals in all competitions so far this season.
Current Connections
Greenock born Sean Crighton signed for Morton at the beginning of the 2014/15 campaign, spending one season with the ‘Ton making a total of 34 appearances as he helped lift the League One trophy. He departed the club in 2015 to sign for Airdrie and enjoyed spells at Livingston and Brechin City before returning to the Diamonds for a second time in 2018.
Head to Head
15 Nov 2014: Airdrie 0-1 Morton (Scottish League One)
3 Jan 2015: Morton 0-1 Airdrie (Scottish League One)
14 Mar 2015: Airdrie 2-1 Morton (Scottish League One)
18 May 2021: Airdrie 0-1 Morton (Scottish Championship Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg)
Match Officials
Referee: Alan Muir
Assistant 1: Daniel McFarlane
Assistant 2: Gordon Crawford
Fourth Official: Alan Newlands
Fan File
Tonight’s game will be broadcast live on BBC Alba and will be the first game involving supporters at Cappielow since March last year.
We ask all fans who are attending tonight to make themselves aware of the below guidelines before arriving:
Entry to the stadium
Supporters must arrive at Cappielow at their designated entry time to ensure admittance. Depending on your allocated section, you will either enter the stadium through the Main Stand turnstiles on Sinclair Street or through the Wee Dublin End turnstiles.
When arriving at the stadium, a steward will check your temperature, issue hand sanitiser, and check you have a face mask. Please note that all of these procedures are mandatory for stadium entry. If you are medically exempt from wearing a face covering, please let us know when purchasing your ticket.
If you arrive after your designated entry time, and entry of another section of the stand has already begun, we cannot guarantee admittance to the stadium, so please ensure that you arrive at your designated turnstile at the correct time.
Once inside the stadium
Once admitted to the stadium, stewards will direct you to your allocated section. Supporters will be allocated a seat in the stand, where you will be invited to sit within your extended households. You must remain in your allocated seat unless going to the toilet or exiting the stadium. You must also remain seated at all times. The club will undertake regular cleaning of touch points such as handrails and doors, as well as toilet areas, over the course of the match.
Supporters must always wear a face mask while inside Cappielow.
Catering will not be available for this match, and as such we encourage supporters to bring food with them. Please be aware that, as per usual match admittance requirements, we cannot allow bottles or cans to be brought into the stadium.
Toilets will be open before and during the match and will operate a two-person limit at any one time. Supporters in Sections A, B and C will use the main stand toilets opposite the catering area. Supporters in Sections F, G, K and L will use the toilets situated at the Wee Dublin End turnstiles.
Exiting the stadium
As with entering the stadium, we will stagger exit times. Once the match finishes please remain seated and await stewards’ instructions. Your designated exit point may be different from your entry point, so please check the information below according to your designated section.
image: Gary Bradley
