Ton backline warned to get on front foot for play-offs

MORTON assistant manager Craig McPherson has delivered a wake-up call to his defenders after the 3-1 weekend defeat to Dunfermline.

McPherson, in charge of the team with gaffer Jim Duffy suspended, la mented the defending that cost his team three points.

And with the Championship play-offs looming, he’s keen for them to rekindle their early season form. He said: “We were very disappointed with the result, although within the game we felt as though we had spells where we played good football and created opportunities.

“Collectively we can’t defend the way we defended as a team and win games of football. We need to help each other out of situations and work harder to stop situations developing.

“We created opportunities at the other end of the pitch, but you have to be ruthless and take them as well. If you can’t do either in both boxes it’s a recipe for a disappointing result.

“But we know it will be there when the play-offs come around.”

Meanwhile, the SPFL’s Premiership play-offs dates could mean Morton or Dundee United playing five games in 14 days if they reach the final.

The current third and fourth teams in the Championship, have a heavy schedule in front of them even before they whoever finished second bottom of the top tier.

Morton will finish fourth no matter what and that means they will play at home in the first leg and away in the second leg of the play-off quarter-final against the club in third place, which is currently Dundee United. Ladbrokes Premiership play-off schedule: Tuesday May 9, kick-off 7.45pm, play-off quarter-final, 1st leg Morton v Championship 3rd place; Friday, May 12, play-off quarter-final, 2nd leg Championship 3rd place v Morton; Tuesday, May 16, Live on BT Sport, play-off semi-final, 1st leg quarter-final winner v Championship runners-up; Friday, May 19 – Live on BT Sport – play-off semi-final, 2nd leg Championship runners-up v quarterfinal winner; Thursday, May 25 – Live on BT Sport – play-off final, 1st leg, semi-final winner v Premiership 11th place, Sunday, May 28, kick-off 3.00pm – Live on BT Sport; play-off final 2nd leg Premiership 11th place v semi-final winner.