Saturday 10th July, 2021 at 8:28pm
The 2021/22 season got off to a less than ideal start for Partick Thistle as they suffered opening day defeat against Dunfermline at Firhill this afternoon. The Jags hit the front early on through Brian Graham and looked much the better side in the opening stages but a Dunfermline fightback late in the first half saw the Pars turn a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 lead heading into half-time. The visitors added a further goal after the interval before Zak Rudden pulled one back for the Maryhill men. There was to be no dramatic comeback for the hosts, however, and Peter Grant’s team took the three points. Jags boss Ian McCall spoke to ptfc.co.uk after the full-time whistle:
“I didn’t think it was a 4-2 game to be completely honest but at the same time we can’t complain too much because we were really poor defensively. Three of the four goals were really bad and you can’t give up chances like that and expect to win games.”
The gaffer was pleased with the way Thistle started the game and felt his side could have been more than one up in that first half.
“We created some good chances and I thought we actually saw some really good stuff from middle to front. We were on top early and got the opening goal but it could and probably should have been more. We had plenty of the ball and something like 16 attempts on goal so I was actually happy with what I saw going forward.”
Ian was, however, left frustrated by the ease at which Dunfermline were able to score as they race from a goal down to three up.
“The goals they were scoring were giveaways from our perspective. For each goal, there were moments where we should do better and we know we can do better which is disappointing.
“The fourth one was the poorest for me because we play that high line but we’re not in line properly and that means we’re beaten by a pretty standard ball over the top but all in all we have to defend better as a tea, not just the defenders.”
One pleasing aspect for McCall was the ability to get gametime for a variety of players who missed time during pre-season and haven’t had as many match minutes as some of their teammates.
“I was happy that we got Kyle Turner, Stuart Bannigan and Scott Tiffoney starts because they all missed time and need that match practice. The same goes for Zak Rudden off the bench who took his goal well. These guys have all missed training over the past few weeks and it’s vital they catch up with everyone else because they’re key players.
“We’ve now got a full week of training before our next game so that will serve them well and hopefully the time in the game today will help too.”
Further reaction with Thistle gaffer Ian McCall is available for JagZone subscribers to watch – log in to view.
We’ll also have extended highlights and a full game replay of today’s match on JagZone tonight.
Article Copyright © 2021. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
