John Robertson: Pre-Match Press Conference v Greenock Morton
On last week’s 1-1 draw with Dundee Utd
“It’s a missed opportunity when you concede a late goal but a draw was a fair result. Dundee United played very well in the second-half. We started the game very well but that’s been the story of our season, to get to where Ayr, Ross County and Dundee United are, these are the games where you have to dig in and hold on.”
“When it looked like United were running out of ideas they then scored a quality goal. It’s been the story of our season, it’s another draw and we’ve had too many.”
On converting draws into wins
“You win! That’s what we have said and we hoped our victory at Partick Thistle would get us up and running again. We keep emphasising to the players that it is about winning matches. Ross County, Ayr and Dundee United are ahead of the rest of the pack because they are winning matches. It’s really strange because we’ve only lost three matches of our last 35 but we’ve drawn too many.”
“We said last season that we need to turn our defeats into draws and our draws into victories to move up the table. We’ve done the first part right, we’ve turned the defeats into draws but we aren’t turning enough of those draws into victories. It’s a confidence thing I think, If we could get two or three wins on the bounce then the team is more than capable of putting a good run together.”
On the importance of our next two games against Morton and Ross County
“Normally Christmas and New Year is a very important period as there is lots of mid-week matches. You tend to find, depending how Christmas falls, that you play Saturday then Tuesday but this year it’s Saturdays all the way.”
“In that respect, it is no more crucial than any other part of the season, in the fact that you want to win games. It’s always nice to end the year with a couple of wins then to go into the new year in a good position.”
On January Business
“We need one in each section of the team. We’re probably a defender short with Ricky Calder going. We are probably a midfield player short, we’re hopeful that Angus Beith can fill that void and we possibly need a forward as we have lost Zak Elbouzedi.”
“Whilst we are happy the likes of Roddy MacGregor and Daniel Mackay, when fit, will get game time, we also need a bit of experience. We are trying to get people in, it’s difficult, January is a horrendously difficult month to get players in as, unless they aren’t wanted by their club then you can’t get them. The players that are very good are not going to be made available by their clubs.”
“We’re hopeful, we’re pretty close to signing someone who can play the positions that Ricky Calder could, anywhere down the left-hand side. It’ll help us to get another body in there, we will have a look and see what else is available to try and strengthen the areas we need.”
Team News
“It will be the same squad that has featured in the past few matches.”
Match Facts: Morton (A): 23/12/2018
Head-to-head: Morton Wins: 4 – Draws: 3 – ICTFC Wins: 13
Last Meeting: ICTFC 1-1 Morton (06/10/2018)
Match Highlight HERE
Last Line-Ups
Morton (V Falkirk): Gaston, McKeown, Kilday, Buchanan (Waddell 78’), Tumilty, McAlister, Millar, Tidser, Telfer (Lyon 90’), McHugh, Thomson (MacLean 72’)
ICTFC (V DUFC): Ridgers, Rooney, Mckay, Donaldson, McCart, Walsh, Welsh (Trafford 82’), Chalmers, Doran (MacGregor 83’), Polworth, Oakley (White 73’)
Ticket and Travel
Prices for the match are as follows Adults: £20 Concessions (Over 65s, Students and 18-20 year olds.): £15 Child (12-17 year olds): £5 Under 12s: £1
The ICT Supporters Travel Club are running a bus to this game. It leaves the Caley Club 9.45 Stadium 10.00, book on their Facebook page HERE or text your name to 07462218717.