From a Special Correspondent

Morton 1, Celtic 1

Morton made the bookmakers’ odds-on figures on Celtic landing a record breaking seventh-successive title look ridiculous on Saturday at Greenock.

Not even Jock Stein, would grudge Morton a share of the spoils in a tremendously exciting match, but he must be annoyed at the dropping of a point which allowed Aberdeen to close the gap at the top to one point.

Morton, who have not won a league match since they beat Airdrieonians on December 11, gave a performance which completely belied their lowly position. They matched Celtic for endeavour and strength, and indeed in skills, and only an instinctive save by Dennis Connaghan from Billy Osborne in the second half prevented what might have been one of the biggest upsets of the season.

Like all good sides, Morton had their share of luck. Dixie Deans twice scorned good scoring opportunities in the first half, when he headed high over the bar from close range and then when the centre forward hit the ball wide from eight yards. In the second half Deans hit the bar with a header and the ball rebounded into the arms of Erik Sorensen. The Dane had a similar experience late in the game when Joe Mason kicked a Jimmy Johnstone shot off the goal-line into the arms of the goalkeeper.

There were no real failures in a determined Morton side. Their close marking and intelligent play on the tight Cappielow park upset Celtic’s rhythm, and with Tommy Lumsden and Stan Rankin, who had just thrown off the effects of a cartilage operation, working like Trojans in the midfield, Celtic were frequently put under pressure. However Morton’s slick build-up was often spoiled by the final pass going astray.

Young George Anderson at centre half was the rock upon which many of Celtic’s attacks floundered. His uncanny anticipation and hard tackling showed him to be a fine prospect, and he even had time to make a few sorties upfield.

The Celtic defence did not look too confident, and on the slippery surface made several mistakes which could have proved costly. Osborne’s bustling style had an unsettling effect and Billy McNeill and George Connelly had their fair share of anxious moments.

Lively running

By their own standards Celtic were perhaps a little disappointing, but no team can expect to maintain a high degree of performance for 90 minutes every week. Deans again failed to score, but the lively running of Bobby Lennox, who has found a new lease of life, kept the Morton rearguard on their toes. Tommy Callaghan worked hard and laid on the Celtic goal, but Kenny Dalglish was not the driving force he can be, although his distribution and reading of the game was as subtle as ever.

Morton took the lead in 19 minutes when a snap shot by Don Gillies from outside the penalty area was deflected by Brogan past Connaghan. Celtic’s goal came 12 minutes later when Callaghan headed on a Johnstone cross to Hood, who slipped the ball past the advancing Sorensen.

Morton were forced to use their substitute, Borge Thorup, near the end when Rankin went off with a leg injury.