TALKING MORTON

JIM DUFFY has played down the suggestion that tomorrow’s Championship encounter between Morton and Hibs at Cappielow will witness a re-run of the indiscipline which marred the previous meeting between the two teams at Easter Road.

The Morton manager, his assistant Craig McPherson, his Hibs counterpart Neil Lennon, and both clubs are all still facing censure from the SFA for the massed confrontation which took place at the end of last week’s goalless draw in Leith.

While Duffy expects to get a “bit of stick” from the visiting fans in a match which could yet prove pivotal at the top of the table, he feels any suggestion of ill feeling between the two sets of players is wide of the mark.

“Both sets of players shook hands and were smiling after the game so I don’t think there was any aspect of that,” said Duffy. “I don’t think it was there at the time and I don’t think it will be there now.

“What has been reported happened off the pitch, not on it, and what I am looking forward to and what I am sure the players are looking forward to is playing the league leaders at home in front of a good crowd and just going and try to win the football match.”

While memories of the last match could swell the Cappielow crowd, Duffy feels it is important that passions are kept in check during the powder keg match. “I can’t speak on behalf of the supporters,” he said.

“I can’t say how they will feel. It is an important football match between two top teams at the top of the league, but it is just a football match.

“That has to be borne in mind. Both sets of supporters will get right behind their team and I am not naive, there could be a bit of stick directed at me from the opposition fans. All I can do is get my players ready for a very tough match.”

Duffy welcomes Lee Kilday back from injury and has the luxury of a full squad, with the exception of the suspended Kudus Uyenuga, whose tackle on Jordon Foster sparked all the Easter Road mayhem.

Having gone three matches without a goal, he accepts they need to add a touch more creativity and execution to their usual defensive diligence against a squad which is the envy of the division.

“Dumbarton last week was a difficult game, we hit the woodwork three times, had a goal chopped off and missed a few chances,” he said.

“I am not saying we deserved the win, but I think we deserved a point.

“We really pressed the accelerator for pretty much the whole second half but we couldn’t get the break in front of goal and sometimes that happens.

“I think it is fair to say and