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Scottish Cup | Quarter-Finals
Mar 11, 2024 at 7.45pm UK
Cappielow Park
HL

Morton
0 - 1
Hearts


Baird (24'), Broadfoot (64')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Vargas (86')
Devlin (43'), Grant (59'), Shankland (64')

Preview: Greenock Morton vs. Hearts - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Greenock Morton vs. Hearts - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Monday's Scottish Cup clash between Greenock Morton and Hearts, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Hearts will be looking to continue their outstanding domestic campaign by defeating Greenock Morton to reach the Scottish FA Cup semi-final on Monday night.

However, they travel to one of the surprise packages of the competition as the Scottish Championship side have already defeated top-flight opposition to reach the last eight.


Match preview

When being thrashed 5-0 by Rangers, Steven Naismith may have had concerns over how Hearts would react as they bid to remain as the standout best-of-the-rest in the Scottish Premiership.

However, a week on from that embarrassing defeat, Hearts were overcoming Celtic by a 2-0 scoreline at Tynecastle in a game where both sides were on the receiving end of poor refereeing decisions.

Celtic were naturally weakened by an early sending off, yet that should take nothing away from how Hearts were able to get over the line.

They now sit 13 points adrift of their second-placed opponents, yet more importantly, 13 points clear of fourth position as they bid to qualify for the second qualifying round of the Europa League.

Hearts can still achieve continental football through their performances in this competition - away wins over Spartans and Airdrieonians being recorded thus far.

In sharp contrast to Hearts only playing away ties, Greenock Morton have been presented with four successive home ties, overcoming a range of opposition at Cappielow Park.

Bo'ness United and Montrose were defeated by 4-0 and 2-0 scorelines respectively before Morton upset Motherwell last month, running out 2-1 winners.

Dougie Imrie's priorities lie elsewhere with Morton sitting in fourth position in the Championship table; the most realistic target being a spot in the playoff quarter-finals with a 14-point gap to second place.

Nevertheless, Imrie will implore his side to enjoy an occasion such as this one, with Morton just two games away from reaching their first Scottish Cup final since the 1947-48 campaign.

Greenock Morton Scottish Cup form:
  • W
  • W
  • W


Greenock Morton form (all competitions):


Hearts Scottish Cup form:


Hearts form (all competitions):



Team News

Although Imrie may stick with his usual Morton back four, changes could be made in midfield and attack with no goals being scored in their last three outings.

Michael Garrity could get the nod over Jai Quitongo, while Lewis McGrattan is pushing for a recall in midfield.

Barring any fitness issues, Naismith may select the side that defeated Celtic in a game that would have taken place more than a week prior to this one.

Naismith will likely remain with a back three, and Cameron Devlin or Aidan Denholm may be recalled in the engine room if any central-midfield players are handed a breather.

Lawrence Shankland has 27 goals to his name in all competitions this season and should lead the line.


Greenock Morton possible starting lineup:
MacDonald; French, O'Connor, Baird, Strapp; Blues, Power; McGrattan, Crawford, Garrity; Muirhead

Hearts possible starting lineup:
Clark; Sibbick, Kingsley, Rowles; Lembikisa, Nieuwenhof, Baningime, Grant, Cochrane; Forrest, Shankland


We say: Greenock Morton 1-4 Hearts

With all the pressure on Hearts, Morton will feel like they can play with a certain level of freedom to cause one of the upsets of this year's competition. However, we cannot see Hearts faltering on Monday night, the visitors likely to run out convincing victors.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718
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