The Spiders make the trip down the Clyde to Cappielow this evening for our second Betfred Cup Group G fixture. They do so on the back of a 2-0 defeat at Firhill on Saturday where after matching Partick Thistle in the first half, an off the pace second half performance saw Thistle’s Joe Cardle capitalise on slack defending to seal the points for the home side.
Ahead of the trip to Cappielow the club media team spoke to Ray McKinnon to get his thoughts and he said: “Saturday was a tough test for the players against an experienced and organised Partick Thistle side. After a good first half we faded in the second half and were off it, frustratingly conceding the goals in the manner which we did.
“We are expecting a similarly tough match tonight against an established Championship side who will undoubtedly make thing difficult for us. It’s important from our perspective that we start the game well. It goes without saying that this is a match that we want to win but it is also an opportunity for us to continue to build the fitness levels within the squad, after what was a disrupted pre season.
We are not without out injury problems to seek at the moment with both Simon Murray and Craig Slater, both key players for us, still a number of weeks away from being able to feature. Both are going to be very important for us this season so we won’t rush them back early. We are still looking to add to the squad but the upside of the situation as it stands is that we are able to bring young Callum Biggar and Max Gillies into the first team squad and give them that experience.”
The opposition: The Ton go into the game on the back of a 2-2 home draw with fellow Championship side Queen of the South at home a week ago, which the visitors went on to win the bonus point from courtesy of a penalty shoot out victory.
Head to head (overall): Played 127; Queen’s Park 44; Draw 24; Morton 59. Scored – Queen’s Park 230; Morton 263.
Head to head (League Cup): Played 7; Queen’s Park 2; Drawn 0; Morton 5. Scored – Queen’s Park 11; Morton 16.
Last meeting of the teams: 18/07/2017 Morton 2-2 Queen’s Park (Morton won 4-2 on penalties), League Cup Group F.
Match officials: Referee – Gavin Ross. Assistant Referees – Stuart Hodge and Elliot Husband Powton.
Live stream details: Morton will be providing a live stream of this match at a cost of £10. Details on how to purchase your stream are available on the Ton TV website https://tv.gmfc.net
Facebook: Get the team news at 7.00pm followed by goal, half time and full-time score updates via our Facebook page.
Twitter: Get the team news at 7.00pm followed by regular live match updates via our Twitter account @QueensParkFC.
Instagram: Get the team news at 7.00pm followed by goal, half time and full-time score updates via our Instagram.
QPTV: Post-match reaction from Ray McKinnon and a player immediately after the final whistle with match highlights to follow on Wednesday morning.
Other Betfred Cup Group G match: Queen of the South v Partick Thistle.
Next match: versus Stirling Albion at Forthbank on Saturday 17 October. Kick off 3.00pm.
Previewing the season with the gaffer