Packed Championship schedule not sustainable
Scottish Championship: Greenock Morton v FalkirkVenue: Cappielow Park, Greenock Date: Friday, 21 February Kick-off: 19:45 GMTCoverage: Watch live on BBC Scotland and BBC Sport website & app from 19:30; follow live text updates on the website & app.
Dougie Imrie has called on the Scottish Professional Football League to do more to safeguard players from the perils of fixture congestion with his Greenock Morton side due to play four matches in 10 days.Morton played Airdrieonians last Saturday and Hamilton Academical on Tuesday. They face Falkirk on Friday live on BBC Scotland before going to Livingston on Tuesday.Imrie believes such a schedule puts players at greater risk of injury."How you can play four games in 10 days is remarkable," he said. "You're playing a game every two and a half days. Where's the player recovery?"That's why, at times, I think players are picking up needless injuries and long-term injuries because they are not getting any time to recover."There has to be a better way to plan the games out. Surely they can find another period where they can make it a bit easier on players?"
Imrie's side are currently on an 11-match unbeaten streak in the Championship and are targeting a play-off spot. They are only five points behind fourth-placed Partick Thistle - who sacked Kris Doolan this week - having played two games fewer. The Morton boss believes his players are capable of maintaining their current form."The opportunity is there for the players this season if they can keep the run going," he said."We know where we are in the ladder in terms of the finances in this division, down around the bottom. But we punch above our weight every season."Everyone is confident now. When you start winning games, it breeds that confidence."
Falkirk out to put pressure on chasing pack
Morton have a full squad from which to choose, but league leaders Falkirk go into the game at Cappielow without on-loan Ross County striker Eamonn Brophy, fellow forward Ross MacIver and centre-back Liam Henderson.The Bairns are two points ahead of Ayr United and four points clear of Livingston in third.However, manager John McGlynn admits he would have liked more from their recent run of three home matches – a defeat by Livingston, a victory over Thistle and a draw with Ayr."A little bit frustrating," he said. "Virtually every game we are having to fight."It showed great character to get back in. There are positives to take from that. But a little bit frustrating that we are not getting ahead in games when we are on top."Falkirk have already shown a resilient side earlier in the season at Cappielow, coming back from two goals down to win 3-2, and McGlynn is expecting another tough encounter in Inverclyde despite winning the last meeting of the sides 6-0."They are flying, so congratulations to Dougie and Andy Millen," he said. "They have done an amazing job and have their sights on fourth place."We were 2-0 down there earlier in the season and managed to come back. We need to get out of the traps, play at a high tempo and, when we're on top, we need to take our chances."With the teams around Falkirk in the table not in action until Saturday, McGlynn is keen to increase the lead at the top."We want to win the game obviously to put some pressure on Ayr United and Livingston," he added. "We have not been able to do that as much as we would have liked, so we really have to grasp one of these opportunities."
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