Season 2015–16 saw Greenock Morton compete in the Scottish Championship the second tier of Scottish football, having finished top of the Scottish League One in 2014-15. Morton also competed in the Challenge Cup, Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Cup.
After the conclusion to the 2014-15 season, manager Jim Duffy dedicated the title triumph to Greenock broadcaster Arthur Montford.[1]
The first pre-season game of the season was announced as being an away fixture against BSC Glasgow,[2] with Rotherham United visiting Cappielow for the third year in a row.[3]
Jamie McCluskey was released,[4] while Lee Kilday[4] and Ricki Lamie were offered one-year contract extensions.[5] Sean Crighton was also released along with Stefan Milojević, Aidan Ferris, Nicolas Caraux and Ross Caldwell.[6] Jon Scullion also agreed a new contract with the club.[7]
Brechin City winger Bobby Barr signed on a one-year deal.[8] Joe McKee (one-year deal) and Jon Scullion (6-month contract) also re-sign.[9]
Stefan McCluskey and Ross Forbes signed one-year contract extensions,[10] as did Ricki Lamie,[11] Michael Miller, Grant Adam[12] and Derek Gaston.[13] Thomas O'Ware also signed up on a one-year contract.[14]
Andy Millen was appointed as Development squad manager to replace David Hopkin.[15]
Warren Hawke was co-opted on to the club's board.[16]
Celtic youth striker Luke Donnelly was announced as a loan target by manager Jim Duffy.[17]
Four of Morton's U17 league winning side were offered full-time development contracts with the club; they were John Mitchell, Ruaridh Langan, Alex McWaters (all 17) and 16-year-old Scott Tiffoney.[18]
Morton signed defender Frank McKeown from Stranraer.[19] Young defender Craig Knight left the club by mutual consent on the same day.[20]
When the fixtures were released on 19 June, Morton learned they would unfurl the Scottish League One championship flag against Falkirk on 8 August 2015.[21]
Morton were given a home tie at home to Dumbarton in the first round of the Scottish Challenge Cup, when it was drawn on 29 June at St Mirren Park, Paisley.[22]
Morton were drawn against Elgin City in the first round of the League Cup.[23]
Frank McKeown and Peter MacDonald suffered minor injuries and were ruled out of most of pre-season.[24]
Two of Morton's home games were selected by BBC Alba and BT Sport for live television coverage meaning they were moved to Friday (St Mirren) and Sunday (Rangers).[25]
Morton's squad numbers were announced on 22 July, with new signings Frank McKeown and Bobby Barr getting numbers 5 and 16 respectively.[26]
Ex-PSV Eindhoven youth player Romario Sabajo was offered a six-month deal, but fellow trialist Ricardo Talu would leave the club.[27] He would sign the contract but would not be able to play against Dumbarton as the club were waiting on international clearance from the Dutch FA.[28]
Morton tied up the signing of Birmingham City forward Denny Johnstone on a season-long loan.[29]
Thomas O'Ware was ruled out for three weeks after going off injured at half time in the game against Dumbarton.[30]
After scoring a brace as a trialist in a 3-0 win over Greenock Juniors, Chris Duggan would continue his trial for the foreseeable future according to manager Jim Duffy.[31]
After defeating Elgin comfortably in the first round, Morton were drawn away to Queen of the South in round two of the League Cup.[32]
After an injury to Frank McKeown, Morton brought in Canadian defender Luca Gasparotto on loan from Rangers until January 2016.[33] The club also signed ex-Aberdeen youth Jai Quitongo on a free transfer for their development squad.[34]
McKeown was ruled out for three months with extensive knee ligament damage.[35]
Morton received international clearance to sign Romario Sabajo after a three-week hold up.[36]
Queen of the South were defeated 1-0 to advance Morton to the third round of the League Cup,[37] where they received a home tie against Motherwell.[38]
Morton signed Swansea City striker Alex Samuel on loan until January.[39][40]
In the third round of the Scottish League Cup, Motherwell were disposed of by three goals to two after extra-time.[41] They were drawn against St Johnstone in the quarter-finals, for the second time in three years,[42] to be played in late October.[43]
The Renfrewshire derby with St Mirren was again chosen for coverage on BBC Alba, and moved forward to the Friday.[44]
Mark Russell rejected an offer of a new contract, but stated that he would be willing to re-negotiate.[45] However, Derek Gaston signed up for another two seasons until 2018.[46]
Jordan Cairnie joined East Stirlingshire on an emergency loan until 6 January,[47] whilst Cameron O'Neil was released by mutual consent.[48][49]
Morton were eliminated from the Scottish League Cup by St Johnstone, by a scoreline of three goals to one.[50]
Two days after the League Cup elimination, Morton were drawn away to Albion Rovers in the third round of the Scottish Cup.[51]
After defeating Forfar in the third round, Morton were given a home tie against Ross County in the Little Big Shot Youth Cup.[52]
Ricki Lamie ruled himself out for the whole of November with a hamstring tear.[53]
Luca Gasparotto would be available to play against Queen of the South after he was not selected for Canada's matches against Honduras and El Salvador.[54]
The development squad was eliminated from the Youth Cup by Ross County at Cappielow, with Thomas Orr scoring a second half consolation goal.
Morton would defeat Albion Rovers with goals from Denny Johnstone and Joe McKee to progress to the Scottish Cup fourth round.[55]
Morton were drawn away from home against Livingston in the fourth round of the William Hill-sponsored Scottish Cup.[56]
Another Morton fixture was moved for television purposes; Morton v Rangers which was due to be played on 23 January 2016 was moved back to the Monday night for BT Sport coverage.[57]
Youth players Jai Quitongo and Lewis Strapp were rewarded for excellent form in the development squad with 18-month professional full-time contracts being offered.[58] They would both accept the contract offers.[59][60]
Jon Scullion was offered a contract extension until the end of the season, with the possibility of going out on loan.[61]
With the end of his short-term contract approaching, Romario Sabajo will be allowed to return home after making few appearances for the first team.[62]
Mark Russell signed a contract extension until the summer of 2017.[63]
With the development league in its winter shutdown, captain Dylan Stevenson was loaned to Berwick Rangers for a month.[64]
Morton brought last season's top scorer Declan McManus back to the club on loan from English side Fleetwood Town.[65]
Grant Adam was released[66] and signed for Cowdenbeath.[67]
Matches against Hibernian were rescheduled to two midweek dates in February.[68]
Alex Samuel's loan deal from Swansea City was extended until the end of the season.[69]
Morton defeated Livingston to reach the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.[70] Their reward was an away tie against Annan Athletic in the fifth round.[71]
Luca Gasparotto was ruled out for up to 10 weeks with an ankle injury.[72]
After defeating Annan Athletic in the fifth round, Morton received another away draw in their first quarter-final since 1999; away to Celtic at Celtic Park.[73]
Andrew McNeil signed on a short-term deal until the end of the season.[74]
Alex Samuel returned to Swansea to receive treatment after sustaining an injury in a Development League West match against Queen's Park.[75]
Morton's quarter-final match with Celtic was chosen for television coverage by Sky Sports.[76]
Morton signed winger Paul McMullan on loan from Celtic.[77]
Bobby Barr signed a pre-contract agreement on a two-year deal with league rivals Raith Rovers.[78]
Morton were eliminated from the Scottish Cup by three first-half goals to nil at Celtic Park.[79]
Declan McManus was named as SPFL Championship player of the month for February.[80]
Michael Tidser's season was ruled to be over when he suffered a suspected hernia.[81]
After a 19-game unbeaten run Morton won the Development League West win a 1-1 draw with nearest rivals Ayr United.[82]
Cappielow's pitch was given a platinum status by the SPFL, as one of the top four pitches in the country along with Bayview Stadium, Tynecastle Stadium and Hampden Park.[83]
Thomas O'Ware agreed a two-year contract extension, tying him to the club until 2018.[84] Ross Forbes followed him in agreeing a two-year contract.[85]
Morton released defenders Frank McKeown, Jordan Cairnie and Luke Irvine.[86]
Manager Jim Duffy signed a new two-year deal after successfully keeping the team in the Championship and reaching two cup quarter-finals.[87]
Win Draw Loss Upcoming fixture
Including goals from the Development League West (champions) and SFA Youth Cup
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