2015–16 Greenock Morton F.C. season

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Greenock Morton
2015-16 season
Chairman Douglas Rae
Manager Jim Duffy
Stadium Cappielow Park
Championship 5th
Challenge Cup First round (lost v Dumbarton)
League Cup Quarter-final (lost v St Johnstone)
Scottish Cup Quarter-final (lost v Celtic)
Top goalscorer League: Denny Johnstone (14)
All: Denny Johnstone (17)
Highest home attendance League: 7,392 v Rangers
Cup: 2,539 v Motherwell
Lowest home attendance League: 1,175 v Queen of the South
Cup: 1,052 v Elgin City
Average home league attendance 2,726
Home colours
Away colours
← 2014–15 2016–17 →

Season 2015–16 sees Greenock Morton compete in the Scottish Championship the second tier of Scottish football, having finished top of the Scottish League One in 2014-15. Morton will also compete in the Challenge Cup, Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Cup.

Story of the season

May

After the conclusion to the 2014-15 season, manager Jim Duffy dedicated the title triumph to Greenock broadcaster Arthur Montford.[1]

The first pre-season game of the season was announced as being an away fixture against BSC Glasgow,[2] with Rotherham United visiting Cappielow for the third year in a row.[3]

Jamie McCluskey was released,[4] while Lee Kilday[4] and Ricki Lamie were offered one-year contract extensions.[5] Sean Crighton was also released along with Stefan Milojević, Aidan Ferris, Nicolas Caraux and Ross Caldwell.[6] Jon Scullion also agreed a new contract with the club.[7]

Brechin City winger Bobby Barr signed on a one-year deal.[8] Joe McKee (one-year deal) and Jon Scullion (6-month contract) also re-sign.[9]

Stefan McCluskey and Ross Forbes signed one-year contract extensions,[10] as did Ricki Lamie,[11] Michael Miller, Grant Adam[12] and Derek Gaston.[13] Thomas O'Ware also signed up on a one-year contract.[14]

Andy Millen was appointed as Development squad manager to replace David Hopkin.[15]

June

Warren Hawke was co-opted on to the club's board.[16]

Celtic youth striker Luke Donnelly was announced as a loan target by manager Jim Duffy.[17]

Four of Morton's U17 league winning side were offered full-time development contracts with the club; they were John Mitchell, Ruaridh Langan, Alex McWaters (all 17) and 16-year-old Scott Tiffoney.[18]

Morton signed defender Frank McKeown from Stranraer.[19] Young defender Craig Knight left the club by mutual consent on the same day.[20]

When the fixtures were released on 19 June, Morton learned they would unfurl the Scottish League One championship flag against Falkirk on 8 August 2015.[21]

Morton were given a home tie at home to Dumbarton in the first round of the Scottish Challenge Cup, when it was drawn on 29 June at St Mirren Park, Paisley.[22]

July

Morton were drawn against Elgin City in the first round of the League Cup.[23]

Frank McKeown and Peter MacDonald suffered minor injuries and were ruled out of most of pre-season.[24]

Two of Morton's home games were selected by BBC Alba and BT Sport for live television coverage meaning they were moved to Friday (St Mirren) and Sunday (Rangers).[25]

Morton's squad numbers were announced on 22 July, with new signings Frank McKeown and Bobby Barr getting numbers 5 and 16 respectively.[26]

Ex-PSV Eindhoven youth player Romario Sabajo was offered a six-month deal, but fellow trialist Ricardo Talu would leave the club.[27] He would sign the contract but would not be able to play against Dumbarton as the club were waiting on international clearance from the Dutch FA.[28]

Morton tied up the signing of Birmingham City forward Denny Johnstone on a season-long loan.[29]

Thomas O'Ware was ruled out for three weeks after going off injured at half time in the game against Dumbarton.[30]

After scoring a brace as a trialist in a 3-0 win over Greenock Juniors, Chris Duggan would continue his trial for the foreseeable future according to manager Jim Duffy.[31]

August

After defeating Elgin comfortably in the first round, Morton were drawn away to Queen of the South in round two of the League Cup.[32]

After an injury to Frank McKeown, Morton brought in Canadian defender Luca Gasparotto on loan from Rangers until January 2016.[33] The club also signed ex-Aberdeen youth Jai Quitongo on a free transfer for their development squad.[34]

McKeown was ruled out for three months with extensive knee ligament damage.[35]

Morton received international clearance to sign Romario Sabajo after a three-week hold up.[36]

Queen of the South were defeated 1-0 to advance Morton to the third round of the League Cup,[37] where they received a home tie against Motherwell.[38]

September

Morton signed Swansea City striker Alex Samuel on loan until January.[39][40]

In the third round of the Scottish League Cup, Motherwell were disposed of by three goals to two after extra-time.[41] They were drawn against St Johnstone in the quarter-finals, for the second time in three years,[42] to be played in late October.[43]

October

The Renfrewshire derby with St Mirren was again chosen for coverage on BBC Alba, and moved forward to the Friday.[44]

Mark Russell rejected an offer of a new contract, but stated that he would be willing to re-negotiate.[45] However, Derek Gaston signed up for another two seasons until 2018.[46]

Jordan Cairnie joined East Stirlingshire on an emergency loan until 6 January,[47] whilst Cameron O'Neil was released by mutual consent.[48][49]

Morton were eliminated from the Scottish League Cup by St Johnstone, by a scoreline of three goals to one.[50]

Two days after the League Cup elimination, Morton were drawn away to Albion Rovers in the third round of the Scottish Cup.[51]

November

After defeating Forfar in the third round, Morton were given a home tie against Ross County in the Little Big Shot Youth Cup.[52]

Ricki Lamie ruled himself out for the whole of November with a hamstring tear.[53]

Luca Gasparotto would be available to play against Queen of the South after he was not selected for Canada's matches against Honduras and El Salvador.[54]

The development squad was eliminated from the Youth Cup by Ross County at Cappielow, with Thomas Orr scoring a second half consolation goal.

Morton would defeat Albion Rovers with goals from Denny Johnstone and Joe McKee to progress to the Scottish Cup fourth round.[55]

December

Morton were drawn away from home against Livingston in the fourth round of the William Hill-sponsored Scottish Cup.[56]

Another Morton fixture was moved for television purposes; Morton v Rangers which was due to be played on 23 January 2016 was moved back to the Monday night for BT Sport coverage.[57]

Youth players Jai Quitongo and Lewis Strapp were rewarded for excellent form in the development squad with 18-month professional full-time contracts being offered.[58] They would both accept the contract offers.[59][60]

Jon Scullion was offered a contract extension until the end of the season, with the possibility of going out on loan.[61]

With the end of his short-term contract approaching, Romario Sabajo will be allowed to return home after making few appearances for the first team.[62]

Mark Russell signed a contract extension until the summer of 2017.[63]

With the development league in its winter shutdown, captain Dylan Stevenson was loaned to Berwick Rangers for a month.[64]

Morton brought last season's top scorer Declan McManus back to the club on loan from English side Fleetwood Town.[65]

January

Grant Adam was released[66] and signed for Cowdenbeath.[67]

Matches against Hibernian were rescheduled to two midweek dates in February.[68]

Alex Samuel's loan deal from Swansea City was extended until the end of the season.[69]

Morton defeated Livingston to reach the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.[70] Their reward was an away tie against Annan Athletic in the fifth round.[71]

February

Luca Gasparotto was ruled out for up to 10 weeks with an ankle injury.[72]

After defeating Annan Athletic in the fifth round, Morton received another away draw in their first quarter-final since 1999; away to Celtic at Celtic Park.[73]

Andrew McNeil signed on a short-term deal until the end of the season.[74]

Alex Samuel returned to Swansea to receive treatment after sustaining an injury in a Development League West match against Queen's Park.[75]

Morton's quarter-final match with Celtic was chosen for television coverage by Sky Sports.[76]

Morton signed winger Paul McMullan on loan from Celtic.[77]

Bobby Barr signed a pre-contract agreement on a two-year deal with league rivals Raith Rovers.[78]

March

Morton were eliminated from the Scottish Cup by three first-half goals to nil at Celtic Park.[79]

Declan McManus was named as SPFL Championship player of the month for February.[80]

Michael Tidser's season was ruled to be over when he suffered a suspected hernia.[81]

After a 19-game unbeaten run Morton won the Development League West win a 1-1 draw with nearest rivals Ayr United.[82]

April

Cappielow's pitch was given a platinum status by the SPFL, as one of the top four pitches in the country along with Bayview Stadium, Tynecastle Stadium and Hampden Park.[83]

Thomas O'Ware agreed a two-year contract extension, tying him to the club until 2018.[84] Ross Forbes followed him in agreeing a two-year contract.[85]

Morton released defenders Frank McKeown, Jordan Cairnie and Luke Irvine.[86]

Manager Jim Duffy signed a new two-year deal after successfully keeping the team in the Championship and reaching two cup quarter-finals.[87]

First team transfers

  • From end of 2014-15 season, to last match of season 2015-16

In

Player Last club League Fee
Scotland Bobby Barr Scotland Brechin City Scotland League One Bosman
Scotland Frank McKeown Scotland Stranraer Scotland League One Bosman
Netherlands Romario Sabajo Netherlands FC Lienden Netherlands Topklasse (Sunday League) Free
Scotland Denny Johnstone England Birmingham City England Football League Championship Loan
Canada Luca Gasparotto Scotland Rangers Scotland Championship Loan
Scotland Jai Quitongo Scotland Aberdeen Scotland Premiership Free
Wales Alex Samuel Wales Swansea City England Premier League Loan
Scotland Declan McManus England Fleetwood Town England Football League One Loan
Scotland Andrew McNeil Scotland Alloa Athletic Scotland Championship Free
Scotland Paul McMullan Scotland Celtic Scotland Premiership Loan

Out

Player To League Fee
Scotland Jamie McCluskey Scotland Stranraer Scotland League One Free
Scotland Sean Crighton Scotland Airdrieonians Scotland League One Free
Serbia Stefan Milojević Slovakia Zlaté Moravce Slovakia Super Liga Free
Scotland Ross Caldwell Scotland Ayr United Scotland League One Free
Scotland Aidan Ferris Scotland BSC Glasgow Scotland Lowland Football League Free
France Nicolas Caraux Free
Scotland Craig Knight Free
Scotland Jordan Cairnie Scotland East Stirlingshire Scotland League Two Loan
Scotland Cameron O'Neil Free
Netherlands Romario Sabajo Free
Scotland Dylan Stevenson England Berwick Rangers Scotland League Two Loan
Scotland Thomas Orr Scotland East Stirlingshire Scotland League Two Loan
Scotland Grant Adam Scotland Cowdenbeath Scotland League One Free
Scotland Jordan Cairnie Free
Scotland Frank McKeown Free
Scotland Luke Irvine Free

Fixtures and results

      Win       Draw       Loss       Upcoming fixture

Pre-season

Friendlies

Scottish Championship

Scottish Cup

Scottish League Cup

Scottish Challenge Cup

Development squad

Friendlies

Development League West

Scottish Youth Cup

Player statistics

As of 1 May 2016

All competitions

Position Player Starts Subs Unused subs Goals Goal Red cards Red card Yellow cards Booked
GK Scotland Grant Adam 10 1 11 0 0 0
MF Scotland Bobby Barr 37 5 1 1 0 8
DF Scotland Jordan Cairnie 0 1 8 0 0 0
GK Scotland Greig Connor 0 0 1 0 0 0
MF Scotland Ross Forbes 40 5 0 5 0 5
DF Canada Luca Gasparotto (on loan from Rangers) 23 2 2 0 0 1
GK Scotland Derek Gaston 33 0 3 0 0 0
FW Scotland Denny Johnstone (on loan from Birmingham City) 42 1 0 17 0 0
DF Scotland Lee Kilday 41 1 2 1 0 6
DF Scotland Ricki Lamie 19 6 11 0 0 4
MF Scotland Ruaridh Langan 0 0 1 0 0 0
FW Scotland Peter MacDonald 6 5 7 2 0 0
GK Scotland Jamie McGowan 1 0 16 0 0 0
MF / FW Scotland Stefan McCluskey 30 7 1 7 0 5
MF Scotland Joe McKee 26 5 5 4 0 7
DF Scotland Frank McKeown 0 1 0 0 0 0
FW Scotland Declan McManus (on loan from Fleetwood Town) 20 0 0 4 0 8
FW Scotland Paul McMullan (on loan from Celtic) 6 5 1 1 0 1
GK Scotland Andrew McNeil 1 0 13 0 0 0
FW Scotland Alex McWaters 0 0 1 0 0 0
DF / MF Scotland Michael Miller 27 4 11 0 0 6
DF / MF Scotland Thomas O'Ware 40 1 0 5 0 4
FW Scotland Thomas Orr 1 5 13 0 0 0
DF / MF Republic of Ireland Conor Pepper 29 1 2 0 1 6
FW Scotland Jai Quitongo 0 7 7 0 0 0
DF Scotland Mark Russell 35 1 1 0 0 3
MF / FW Netherlands Romario Sabajo 4 5 4 0 0 0
FW Wales Alex Samuel (on loan from Swansea City) 9 21 0 4 0 2
FW Scotland Jon Scullion 2 9 29 3 0 0
MF Scotland Dylan Stevenson 0 5 13 0 0 0
DF Scotland Lewis Strapp 0 0 2 0 0 0
DF Scotland John Tennent 0 1 11 0 0 0
MF Scotland Michael Tidser 12 7 2 1 0 3
FW Scotland Scott Tiffoney 0 0 2 0 0 0

Development squad goalscorers

Including goals from the Development League West and SFA Youth Cup

Awards

Last updated 14 March 2016
Nation Name Award Month
Scotland Declan McManus Championship Player of the Month February 2016[80]

League table

Pos Team
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Rangers (C, P) 36 25 6 5 88 34 +54 81 Promotion to Scottish Premiership
2 Falkirk (Q) 36 19 13 4 61 34 +27 70 Qualification to Premiership play-off semi-finals
3 Hibernian (Q) 36 21 7 8 59 34 +25 70 Qualification to Premiership play-off quarter-finals
4 Raith Rovers (Q) 36 18 8 10 52 46 +6 62
5 Greenock Morton 36 11 10 15 39 42 −3 43
6 St Mirren 36 11 9 16 44 53 −9 42
7 Queen of the South 36 12 6 18 46 56 −10 42
8 Dumbarton 36 10 7 19 35 66 −31 37
9 Livingston (Q, R) 36 8 7 21 37 51 −14 31 Qualification to Championship play-offs
10 Alloa Athletic (R) 36 4 9 23 22 67 −45 21 Relegation to Scottish League One
Updated to match(es) played on 1 May 2016. Source: BBC Sport
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(C) Champion; (P) Promoted; (Q) Qualified to the phase indicated; (R) Relegated.

References

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