One prize fits all in the first division

Football Writer

Saturday 5 January 2013

THE mechanics of the Scottish Football League set-up – three divisions of 10, with play-offs affecting clubs at the top and bottom – means even five months into the season, there are few teams with nothing to play for.

Morton last played top-flight football in 1988 but have traded places with Partick Thistle at the top of the first division

Custom byline text:

Graeme Macpherson

Nowhere is it more competitive than at the top of the Irn-Bru First Division.

While Queen of the South and Rangers seem a lock to win the second and third divisions respectively, there is something of a logjam at the top of the first where, unlike the other two divisions, there is no second chance of promotion through the play-offs. In that division, the winner takes it all. Halfway through the season and only two points separate the top three sides. All are venerable Scottish football institutions in their own way, although, for two of the three, top-flight football is fast becoming a fading memory.

Early in 2013 it is Morton who find themselves in the unaccustomed position of leaders. They have not seen Premier League football in Greenock since 1988, the subsequent period spent largely in the first and second divisions with the nadir a solitary campaign in the bottom tier a decade ago. Manager Allan Moore has put together an experienced pool, players such as Mark McLaughlin, Kevin Rutkiewicz, Martin Hardie and Peter MacDonald all boasting a raft of top-flight experience. Wednesday's 3-0 defeat by bottom side Dumbarton was a shock but today's trip to play Cowdenbeath gives Moore's side an immediate chance to demonstrate their mettle."I know Morton better than I do most other teams and there's a real strength in depth there," said Warren Hawke, the former Morton striker whose son Lewis is now following in his footsteps at Cappielow. "There are some very good experienced players but there's young talent there, too. The older players have been a steadying influence as most of them have been there and done it before. "There's a very good vibe around the club just now. What Allan Moore has instilled throughout the squad is a genuine belief that they are good enough to win every game. There's a sense of confidence running right through the club."Tucked in behind Morton are Partick Thistle, the team who have led the division for most of the season until a few recent rogue results and postponements caused them to slip down to second. They are still only two points behind the league leaders having played two games fewer and in Jackie McNamara boast a young, promising manager with a burgeoning reputation.A relatively youthful squad – the majority of whom are still in their early 20s – has been bolstered by the permanent signing of striker Steven Craig from Ross County. The great unpredictables of Scottish football, it has been nine years since top-flight football was last at Firhill but there is a growing feeling that this might finally be their year."Thistle have played some lovely football this season," added Hawke, a regular attendee at first division matches compiling statistics for the Press Association. "Their pitch is better than it has been in previous years and that's been conducive to their style of play. I've been very impressed with what Jackie and Sid [Simon Donnelly, the Thistle assistant manager] are trying to do there and it's obviously working for them. They'll feel, like Morton, that they've been out of the top league for too long and that this might be their best chance to get back up there."Perched right on Thistle's shoulder, just five goals further back, are Dunfermline Athletic. Unlike the other two promotion chasers, Premier League football would not be a novelty to a team that was only relegated last summer, but ongoing financial difficulties behind the scenes have made this season more fraught than it ought to have been. A return to the top division would help pay the bills and Dunfermline will be hoping Jim Jefferies' vast managerial experience proves to be key in the second half of the season."They've been there and done it all before, of course, although they've had a few other issues to contend with as well this season," said Hawke. "But they are a decent team who try to play attacking football and you would fancy them to push the other two all the way. With a manager like Jim Jefferies in charge you would expect nothing less."Hawke, naturally, hopes it is Morton who ultimately end up going up, but admits it is too hard to call. "What I will say is that it should be a cracking end to the season and I can see it going right to the wire. Any SPL fans at a loose end over the next few weeks should get along to a game and see for themselves."

Contextual targeting label:

Sport

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.

One prize fits all in the first division

Commenting & Moderation

MOST READ

SPONSORED LINKS

MOST COMMENTED