Doc Made A House Call On Pal Ryan

Jan 6 2008 By Kenny Macdonald

Morton V Gretna Saturday, Kick-Off 3.00

FORMER team-mates Ryan McGuffie and Kenny Deuchar will swap tops after Saturday's clash - days after exchanging homes.

McGuffie quit Gretna for Ton last week and faces a quickfire reunion with his old team in their Cappielow cup tie.

The midfielder revealed he has been lodging at Deuchar's house to cut the travelling time to Greenock for training while the doctor-turned-striker stays at his pad in Dumfries.

McGuffie said: "Kenny was sharing with me at Dumfries from Monday to Thursday to cut his journey, now we have swapped about and I've been staying at his place near Falkirk.

"His mum Karin even made me dinner so it has been great.

"Kenny is obviously still at Gretna and it makes sense for him to stay at mine while I lodge at his a few days a week."

The pair have already planned to swap jerseys at the full-time although McGuffie said: "I am not sure what the policy on that is at Morton - I may end up paying for my top!

"Seriously, it is a bit strange coming up against Gretna in the cup, especially so soon after leaving the club. But I am looking forward to it.

"I was there for more than six years, climbing through the leagues, and there are only a few left who have done that like Gavin Skelton.

"Kenny has been at the club for about three years and the keeper David Matheson has been there from the start but has been out for a while with a back injury.

"I had some great times at Gretna, including the Scottish Cup Final against Hearts when I scored and also our UEFA Cup games with Derry City."

McGuffie's place in the Black and Whites' history is assured after scoring in the cup final that ended 1-1 before an agonising penalties defeat by Jambos.

He also netted their only European goal in the 5-1 defeat by Derry at Fir Park last season.

But he knows his side will have to defend better against Gretna than they did in yesterday's 6-1 thrashing at Livingston. McGuffie said: "Getting to the cup final was a great achievement I will remember for a long time.

Hopefully we can do something with Morton against Gretna and go on a bit of a run.

"I also scored Gretna's goal in the UEFA Cup but that just got Derry angry! They came storming back and battered us.

"I should have made it 2-0 but tried to round the keeper instead of passing to James Grady.

"I had great times at Gretna but that has gone and I want to do the same with Morton."

Hitman Deuchar admits his contentment with their living arrangements will go out the window if he fails to maintain his unbeaten record against pal McGuffie.

The 27-year-old said: "We have played against each other a few times over the years and I have the upper hand.

"I faced Ryan four times in Gretna's first season in senior football when I was at East Fife and won them all so hopefully that run continues when we take on Morton.

"We both scored in Gretna's Scottish Cup semi-final win over Dundee so have good memories of the competition.

"Now Ryan has moved on and I hope the Morton fans take to him.

"He got off to a flier with the winner on his debut at Stirling Albion so I am sure he will do well."

Morton boss Jim McInally reckons he has landed a gem in McGuffie after being impressed with him for years.

McInally said: "We spent a lot of time watching Gretna and Ryan always stood out because he had the knack of getting forward into the box and scoring.

"To get him without a veto on the cup tie from Gretna is an added bonus.

"It should be a good game.

We beat them 2-1 during pre-season at Raydale but they turned us over recently in a bounce game at Cappielow."