Anytime we face Morton it is hard not to think back to the cup run of 1991. We turned in a dismal display at Fir Park and needed penalties to edge past the Ton in the quarter final replay. We all know what happened next!
More recently we faced Morton at this stage in the 2007 tournament. Second Division Morton had produced a spectacular performance to defeat Kilmarnock in the previous round but despite the backing of a massive support we still managed to oust them - Kerr and McDonald scored in a 2-0 win.
Motherwell v Morton February 2007 - What a superb away support!
This time Morton are safely established in the First Division (like in 1991!) but they have suffered with injuries. On their day they can probably give us problems but last Saturday they lost to previously bottom of the table Queen of the South. If we play to anything approaching our potential, we will win this.
In terms of team news, Craigan remains banned which means there will be no change in the defence - Page surely won't get a run this time - but Higdon is available at the other end. That poses an interesting question of whether he should be recalled immediately or if we should persevere with a quicker front line. New cult hero Ojamaa would seem undroppable but Daley did reasonably well last time meaning Murphy could come under threat for his place. However, Daley has not always shown the work rate required to play on the flank so this potential shuffle may require some thought.
We were not entirely convincing against Queen's Park in the last round but still triumphed 4-0. Morton will certainly provide a sterner test but we still have reason to be confident in our ability. Hopefully an early goal will help ease our way to a third consecutive home win - 3-0.