In this week's a View from the Shed, Russell Gordon looks ahead to what promises to be a hectic week on the Morton front as Dougie Imrie's side look to return to Cappielow for the first time in 2025.

Whisper it, but we might actually see a football match on a Saturday afternoon at Cappielow this week.

A full Championship card has Morton down to host a resurgent Airdrieonians, which will see the first Saturday match played out on Sinclair Street in almost two months (December 21).

Dougie Imrie will welcome the chance to see his side play at Cappielow (Image: alex craig) Cappielow however, will have an unfamiliar feel about it with the Cowshed out of commission after damage caused by Storm Eowyn last month, which could provide a backdrop that will remind those of us, of a certain vintage, of trying times at the turn of the century.

That of course was when the shed was turned to rubble as Morton hit their lowest ebb under the despised Hugh Scott.

While I’m at pains to suggest that Morton are now looking at pushing towards the play-offs at the right end of the table with fourth-placed Partick hosting Raith Rovers, one of those around us is certain to drop points.

Taking advantage is imperative for Dougie Imrie’s side against a team who have since the new year not so much risen from their slumber as from a six-month long hibernation, registering home wins against fellow strugglers Dunfermline, and last weekend’s Scottish Cup shock troops, Queen’s Park.

Cappielow will have a different look to it this weekend (Image: George Munro) The Diamonds’ own cup campaign came to an abrupt end however, with a resounding 4-0 defeat by Dundee at Dens Park.

That will hopefully be a dent to Rhys McCabe’s side’s confidence as they look to reel in a Hamilton team that appear to be in freefall amidst rumours of financial woe, boardroom upheaval and possible administration for Tuesday’s visitors to Cappielow.

There will of course be a few familiar faces in the visitors’ line-up with former Ton favourite Lewis Strapp joining namesakes McGregor and McGrattan in the visiting squad on his return to the Scottish game after a spell in Finland.

Partick loanee Rocco Diack has been another notable addition to McCabe’s squad.

Two familiar faces could make a Cappielow return (Image: Kenny Ramsay/Alex Craig) Though Morton of all teams will be aware of the threat from Strapp’s long throws, Imrie will also be well versed on the form of Northern Irish striker Ben Wilson, who has carried on his purple patch since scoring a double against Morton in December, notching three in last month’s two victories.

While the window closed with nothing by way of incomings at Cappielow, perhaps the biggest news was Michael Garrity’s decision to stay put at the club amidst interest from IFL Premiership side Crusaders, much to the delight of Dougie Imrie.

While the support are well aware of the financial constraints at Cappielow in the current climate, the issue of the lack of scheduled home games going ahead poses enough of a problem.

Those issues were to be exacerbated by the damage sustained to the Cowshed, and the associated costs, so the loss of Imrie’s most potent attacking threat would have been a tough one to swallow.

Garrity's choice to stay at Cappielow is a huge boost (Image: Duncan Bryceland) It’s fair to say that after a period of relative inactivity, Morton are heading into the business end of the season with a schedule that will be far more demanding than it has been.

With Airdrie enduring a disastrous first half of the season, and the aforementioned issues at Hamilton, relegation seems less likely with every passing week- I’d go as far as to say that the Diamonds are more likely to usurp Accies than Hamilton are to catch Dunfermline, Raith or Morton.

Had it not been for Logan Chalmers’ injury time equaliser against Ton a fortnight ago, we would be giving Partick a lot more reason for concern as they look to consolidate the final play-off place. I’ll be among those keeping an eye on events in Kirkcaldy as well as Accies’ visit to Hampden and Dunfermline’s to Almondvale.

Imrie’s concerns however, will lie with Morton, as they approach a period of three home games in six days. I would be surprised to see any major changes to the starting XI, with Owen Moffat still a bit away from a return and his replacement Nathan Shaw opening his Morton account with a fine free-kick at Firhill a fortnight ago.

Having reluctantly allowed Kirk Broadfoot to leave the club immediately after the draw in Maryhill, the manager may finally be in the position to add Dylan Corr to his bench as he looks to kick-start his injury-hit Morton career.

With current league leaders Falkirk on the horizon next Friday, six points against the two strugglers in the lead up to that match would provide the perfect platform for Morton to make a late surge up the table.