MORTON'S hopes of unveiling Dundalk gaffer Sean Connor as their new boss appear to have stalled.
MORTON'S hopes of unveiling Dundalk gaffer Sean Connor as their new boss appear to have stalled.
SportTimes under-stands Ton chairman Douglas Rae had hoped to make an announce-ment on the 42-year-old Belfast-born gaffer's appointment today.
However, the Cappielow chief, although unavailable for comment, is understood to have decided to hold back on making an announcement.
As such, it looks like caretaker duo James Grady and Allan McManus could still be in charge for the trip to Inverness on Saturday.
Meanwhile, previous favourite Allan Moore has admitted a compensation battle looks set to have cost him his chance to manage Morton.
The Stirling Albion boss had appeared to be a shoe-in but, after signing a new two-year extension at Forthbank, Cappielow supremo Rae failed to agree terms with Binos chairman Peter McKenzie.
A gutted Moore said: "Morton should have come to an agreement on compensation when they approached Stirling. It's unacceptable to have been asked to go through the motions when they were not prepared to meet the fee my club were asking for.
"That should all have been settled before I had to endure the speculation. I recently signed a two-year deal and it looks as though the Morton issue is now dead.
"It has been an upsetting time for my family and my team have taken their eye off the ball."
If Irishman Connor is appointed it is likely to cause more than a few eyebrows being raised down Cappielow way.
Throughout the post-Davie Irons period, Rae maintained he was after a manager with proven SFL experience.
Grady and McManus were given five games in charge and compiled a two wins and three losses record. But the duo had been understood to have impressed and had proved immensely popular with the squad.
Even in defeat Morton were applauded off the park in their recent home loss to First Division leaders Dundee such had been the improvement in the quality of their play.
Connor won the Irish First Division title with Sligo Rovers in 2005 following that up with a fifth-placed finish in the Irish Premier Division and a semi-final spot in the Irish Cup.
The following year he joined Bohemians before moving to Dundalk in December 2008.
Connor also spent time coaching in America and in non-league English football, however his complete lack of experience in the Scottish game would seem to make him a surprise selection.
Meanwhile, Morton have been drawn at home to Dumbarton in the third round of the Active Nation Scottish Cup. The tie will be played on November 28.
THE DRAW
Airdrie United v Queen of the South, Ross County v Berwick Rangers, Whitehill Welfare or Threave Rovers v Inverurie Loco, Deveronvale or Buckie Thistle v Ayr United, Cowdenbeath v Alloa Athletic, Albion Rovers v Elgin City, Stirling Albion v Huntly or Auchinleck Talbot, Clyde v Livingston, Irvine Meadow v Arbroath, Edinburgh City v Keith, Wick Academy v Brechin City, Stenhousemuir v Cove Rangers, Morton v Dumbarton, Montrose v East Fife, Raith Rovers v Peterhead, Spartans v Forfar Athletic.
