Robertson will understand if Morton fans boycott ‘silly’ trip to Inverness

CALEY THISTLE boss John Robertson has hit out at the SPFL’s ‘silly’ decision to make Morton fans travel to Inverness on a Friday night. And he admits he will back travelling supporters if they boycott tonight’s game in protest at having to make a four-hour road trip to the Highlands for a 7.05pm kick-off. The Dundee derby — which kicks off at 7.45pm — and the Caley Thistle versus Morton clash were rescheduled so they could be shown live on BT Sport and BBC Scotland respectively. But Robertson (right), who also cannot understand why two Championship games are being played on the same night, feels it is asking too much of the Morton fans to undertake a 400-mile round trip on a Friday, with the Cappielow club having already complained to league chiefs. ‘I enjoy Friday night football but we’ve heard Morton fans are boycotting it and we can understand that,’ he said. ‘It’s virtually impossible for people to get from Greenock to Inverness for a 7.05pm kick-off — it’s silly. ‘For Friday night games, you want the teams a bit closer geographically, so fans can get there quite comfortably. ‘When we’re the away team, it’s a struggle for our fans. People have to take time off their work. ‘I have plenty of sympathy for Morton fans. They’re among the rowdier ones that come up, so that element will be missed.’ Robertson also questioned the live scheduling of the match head-to-head with the Tannadice showdown. ‘I can’t get my head around why we have two Championship matches kicking off on a Friday night. It seems a bit strange,’ he said. Robertson is wary of Morton’s firepower under David Hopkin, especially after they came back from two goals down last Friday to beat Partick 3-2 at Cappielow. He said: ‘It’s another tough match but it’s nice to be back at home. We’ve been down to Dundee three times already this season. ‘We watched Morton last Friday. It was a tremendous fightback and it tells us all we need to know about David Hopkin’s teams. ‘He showed what he was all about at Livingston — and Morton have shown the same attributes he instilled there. ‘We’re going to have to be at our very best to take all three points. ‘For us, it’s about improving our home record, while trying to continue our fine away record.’ Meanwhile, Morton have taken defender Stephen Welsh on loan from Celtic and the 19-year-old could make his debut in Inverness this evening. Kick-off: 7.05pm, Caledonian Stadium. TV: LIVE on BBC Scotland. Referee: Alan Newlands.