Match Preview: Dundee United
Dundee United versus MORTON
Saturday 23 September 2017
Tannadice Park, Dundee
Kick-off 3pm
Match Preview
Morton are on the road for a second successive week when they make the trek to Tannadice tomorrow to take on Dundee United with the objective of registering a third Ladbrokes Championship win in a row.
Jim Duffy’s side recorded a fantastic victory on their travels last Saturday, bagging all three points down in Dumfries thanks to a Jai Quitongo-inspired 2-1 win.
That result came hot on the heels of the memorable comeback against table-toppers Dunfermline Athletic at Cappielow, with those results ensuring the Ton head to the City of Discovery in a confident frame of mind.
The Greenock men went head-to-head with the Tangerines on no fewer than seven occasions last term. Three of those were staged at Tannadice, with the hosts coming out on top twice.
Ton’s best result was a 1-1 draw on Saturday 25 February – a match in which they came within seven minutes of claiming the win after Lee Kilday had headed them in front in the first half.
That would have ended a 38-year wait for a win at Tannadice, and the current crop will make the journey hopeful of being the team to end that hoodoo against an Arabs outfit sat immediately below them in the league table.
Manager’s Thoughts
Jim Duffy told gmfc.net: “We have back to back wins and to get those two wins against Dunfermline and Queen of the South was great for us and the boys should be confident.
“We got to Tannadice knowing it’s one of the toughest places in domestic football, not just the Championship – at any level.
“If somebody draws Dundee United in a cup tie at Tannadice, you know you’re in for a very difficult match, and we fully expect that.
“But we’ll go up there in good form, with belief. We know we’ll have to be at our very best, but if we go about our business well, there’s every chance we can come back with some points.
“They have changed it round a little bit. They lost [Simon] Murray and Tony Andreu – and that’s a lot of goals. And Ray [McKinnon] has been saying it’s going to take a little bit of time for the new guys to gel.
“When you’ve got players of the quality of Scott McDonald, James Keatings, and Paul McMullan, you’ve got that bit of quality at the top end of the pitch.
“They’ve still got guys like [William] Edjenguele, [Mark] Durnan, [Lewis] Toshney at the back, so they’re still a very experienced side and a very strong side.
“When they click, I think they’ll be a forced to be reckoned with. But they’re still a little bit inconsistent at the moment, and obviously we’re hoping it stays that way on Saturday.”
Team News
Long-term absentee Lee Kilday has joined in light training but remains short of being ready to participate in competitive matches.
Robert Thomson was relegated to the bench at Queen of the South with a chest infection while a calf strain saw Andy Murdoch miss out entirely, but both are back fully fit for tomorrow’s trip to Tannadice.
Current Connections
Morton frontman Robert Thomson is a product of the Dundee United youth academy and made two first-team appearances, coming off the bench in matches against St Mirren and Dundee in season 2012/13.
Dundee United recruited Paul McMullan in the summer following his release by Celtic, from whom he spent three months of the 2015/16 season on loan with us here at Cappielow, scoring one goal in 11 appearances.
Recent Meetings
Sat 25 Feb 2017: Dundee United 1-1 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 6 May 2017: Morton 1-1 Dundee United (Ladbrokes Championship)
Tue 9 May 2017: Morton 1-2 Dundee United (Ladbrokes Premiership promotion play-off, first leg)
Fri 12 May 2017: Dundee United 3-0 Morton (Ladbrokes Premiership promotion play-off, second leg)
Last Time Out
Morton’s magnificent 2016/17 campaign came to a close with a 3-0 loss to Dundee United at Tannadice that saw them go out of the Premiership promotion play-offs at the quarter-final stage.
The Ton went into the game trailing 2-1 after a home defeat on the Tuesday night but absolutely intent on extending their campaign by fighting back from behind.
However, second-half goals from Simon Murray, Wato Kuate and Blair Spittal earned the Tangerines victory on the night and safe passage into the semi-finals after a 5-1 aggregate scoreline over the two legs.
Officials
Referee: Alan Muir
Assistant one: Dougie Potter
Assistant two: George King
Supporters Notes
Entry is pay at the gate and admission prices are:
Adult – £20
Concession (Over 65, Under 18, Student with a valid matriculation card) – £10
Morton supporters will be seated in the West Stand and enter the stadium using turnstiles 17 to 20.
Wheelchair users access the stadium through Gate K and into the west stand or the ‘bus shelter’ on the trackside. Prices are £10 for an ambulant and carer.
Any fans under the influence of alcohol will not be admitted and all bags will be searched, with random searching undertaken.
Musical instruments are not permitted in the ground. Surfing flags are not permitted and any other flags will be checked to ensure that they are not offensive or derogatory.
Travel
Travel by Road: Dundee United, Tannadice Street, Dundee, DD3 7JW for Sat Nav users.
Follow the M8 to M80 then signs for A9 Inverness. Follow A9 to Perth then A90 to Dundee. When in Dundee carry on along A90 Kingsway. At the next roundabout, take the third exit to Old Glamis Road.
At the next roundabout take a left into Clepington Road, then the next right into Provost Road and finally left into Sandeman Road. Tannadice Street is on your right.
Travel by Rail: Greenock – Glasgow Central – Glasgow Queen Street – Dundee. Time 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours. There is a 30-minute walk to the stadium. A taxi or service bus from Albert Square is recommended.
Parking
Car parking – Those travelling by car are advised to find on-street parking around the stadium as there are no car parking facilities available.
There is a road traffic order in force on match days and certain roads and streets are closed in and around the immediate vicinity of Tannadice.
Coaches – Supporters coaches will be directed to Neish Street, which is opposite the stadium, at no charge.
Travel Club Info
The Gourock Morton Supporters’ bus to Dundee for tomorrow’s match leaves the Royalle Club in Gourock at 12pm and pick ups are available en-route. Costs are £11 for adult and £9 for concessions.
Both buses are now fully booked.
The Greenock Morton Supporters Club bus to Dundee for tomorrow’s match leaves the club at 12pm with pick ups en-route.
If you would like a seat on the bus, please phone Martin on 07958080010. Alternatively, you can book seats through Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GMSCTravel or Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/GMSCTravel.
The Port Glasgow Morton Travel Club bus to Dundee for tomorrow’s match leaves the Sutherland Bar at 12pm.
Anyone looking for seats should contact Bryan on 07969760291 or by leaving a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PortGlasgowMTC/
Image: David Bell
