Greenock Morton v Hearts: teams news, starting XI, odds, how to watch & price

Hearts make the trip to Cappielow on Saturday for the first competitive match in 33 years.
By Joel Sked
Published 3rd Dec 2020, 12:30 BST
Robbie Neilson takes his Hearts side to Cappielow on Saturday. Picture: SNSRobbie Neilson takes his Hearts side to Cappielow on Saturday. Picture: SNS
Robbie Neilson takes his Hearts side to Cappielow on Saturday. Picture: SNS

The last meeting in Greenock between the two sides came on Boxing Day 1987, a goalless draw in the top flight, back when John Robertson was leading the line and Alex MacDonald and Sandy Jardine had the Tynecastle side battling for the title. More than 6,700 fans watched the match at Cappielow.

This weekend’s meeting comes in the Championship and will be played in front of empty seats, a smattering of journalists and club officials.

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Hearts will be looking to get back to winning ways having lost two of their last three fixtures, including last week’s shock Betfred Cup defeat at the hands of part-time Alloa Athletic.

Team news: There will still be concerns over wingers Josh Ginnelly and Elliot Frear. The latter has missed the last two games, while the former has been out since the 1-0 win in Arbroath. Robbie Neilson has also raised concerns about Christophe Berra, Stephen Kingsley, Jordan Roberts and Jamie Walker, all four having to be monitored game by game. The quartet should all be available for Saturday.

Possible starting XI: Gordon; Smith, Halkett, Berra, Kingsley; Haring, Halliday, Naismith; Wighton, Boyce, Walker.

Match details: Saturday, December 5. 3pm kick-off, Cappielow, Greenock.

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How to watch: Greenock Morton are providing a live stream for the match and the PPV can be purchased here for £16.

Last meeting: The last competitive meeting took place at Tynecastle Park in March 1988. Mike Galloway scored a brace to give the home side a 2-0 win on their way to finishing second in the Premier Division.

Key stat: Edinburgh City are the only other side of the 42 in the SPFL Hearts have not faced since last playing Morton in 1988.

Referee: Greg Aitken – After Gavin Duncan’s controversial performance last week at Alloa, Aitken takes charge of his second Hearts fixture this season, the first being the 1-0 win at Arbroath.

Odds: Morton 13/2 Draw 15/4 Hearts 2/5