Sat 13 May, 2017
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
McDiarmid Park, PerthSPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Sat 13 May, 2017. Kick Off: - 15:00
McDiarmid Park, Perth
Supporter Information:
Thistle supporters are advised to leave extra time for their journey due to major roadworks adjacent to McDiarmid Park between the Broxden and Inveralmond roundabouts.
Supporters’ Buses:
City Centre Branch:
Pick ups:
Q Club – 11:20
Station Bar – 11:30
Non members welcome.
Please call 07979496154 or email to book.
Jordanhill Branch:
Pick ups:
Jordanhill Station – 12:45
Thornwood Bar – 12:50
Prices:
Members:
£8 for adults
£4 for concessions
Non-Members:
£16 for adults
£8 for concessions
All Jags fans are welcome but booking is essential.
For seats please contact Alistair on 07817612563 or email
For general enquires please contact Iain on 07779668357
North-West Branch:
Pick ups:
Milngavie Station – 12:30
Esquire House – 12:45
Maryhill Community Halls – 13:00
Prices:
£16 for adults
£10 for concessions.
A concession qualifies as school aged children, unwaged adults, senior citizens & matriculated students
It’s a trip to Perth this weekend for Alan Archibald’s Partick Thistle side with the Jags still on the hunt for their first top six victory despite two very positive performances against Hearts and Rangers. The Firhill gaffer spoke to ptfc.co.uk and, unsurprisingly, McDiarmid Park was not the first topic up for discussion as overnight speculation linked Archibald to the vacant Swindon Town job.
“It was news to me and I haven’t heard a thing so at the moment it is purely speculation. I’ve got two years to go on my contract and neither the club nor I have heard anything so there really isn’t much to speak about to be honest.”
The one thing Archie was sure about was that whatever speculation was out there it wouldn’t affect his or the team’s focus ahead of Saturday.
“I think unless there is something solid to talk about you just get on with it as normal. I got a bit of stick off the players, you have a laugh about it and then you move on, that’s the way it goes. The club has made great strides in the last four seasons and we’re still progressing all the time. Each season we try and do a wee bit more whether it be around the stadium to make things look better or things like the training ground which is on the horizon now as well.
“It’s a good stable place to be and I have a good relationship with everyone here so if something concrete does come up it would take something very serious for me to think about leaving.”
Achieving a place in the top six is the latest in a series of superb achievements made by Archibald and his team but the ambitious 39-year-old knows there is still more to come across the club.
“There is definitely more room for growth but it’s the success of the first team that really drives everything forward. When the club stays in the Premiership it provides the basis and it feeds right down through the youth teams all through the Academy. That stability allows us to improve the facilities and everything around the stadium and things are getting better all the time. Being in the top six can only help that.
“We don’t get complacent and we still want to do everything we can but consistency is the most important thing and we need to keep that up going into next season. I think St Johnstone is still the benchmark for clubs like us and funnily enough we play them on Saturday.”
Late goals against Hearts and Rangers robbed Thistle of what could have been a perfect start to life in the top six and for Archibald there is no getting away from the disappointment.
“There was a lot of frustration and a bit of anger after the last game against Rangers on Sunday but when you watch it back we played a lot of really good stuff, particularly in the first half. The manner of how we lost the goals was obviously very disappointing but on the other hand there were plenty of positives to take too.”
It wasn’t just the gaffer who was attracting interest as rumours linking Liam Lindsay were also abound overnight.
“We’ve had some ongoing interest in Liam since January but no firm bids yet as far as I know. Good clubs are interested in him and long may that continue for him. We’re happy to have him for as long as we can and I certainly don’t think it would do Liam any harm at all to have another 30 or 40 games here so if it doesn’t happen then so be it.
“Every year he has got better and better and he has made the team of the year this year which I think just reflects exactly how well he has done for us. He’s a dream to work with and a real level headed lad who just wants to play the game. We invested in Liam and he invested in us and we’ve both been rewarded as some of his performances have been superb. Whatever happens will happen but he’s on a long deal so if he does go the club will be well rewarded and then it will be down to us to go and find the next Liam Lindsay.”
McDiarmid Park is the venue for Saturday and Archie is looking forward to returning to what has been a happy hunting ground for the Jags in recent seasons.
“Obviously we’re still looking for our first top six win and that continues on Saturday. We’ve been close in the last two games and probably haven’t ended up with the points we have deserved. There is certainly no complacency from us though and there isn’t any hint of it being job done. Ask me or any of the players and they want to go and win every game they play and this weekend will be no different.
“We’ve got a good record in Perth so we’ll go into the match in confident mood. Added to that is the fact we have a full squad to choose from and it’s probably one of the strongest we’ve had all season. Only the longer term ones are out of contention so we’re all really looking forward to what promises to be a really good game.”
An in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is now available to Jagzone subscribers. Log in now to see it. Jagzone members will also be able to watch highlights of the game from midnight.
Jagzone members can listen to live audio commentary of the match.
For a full list of all the great content you can access from just £5.99 per month as a Jagzone member, click here.
Archie has committed, will you join him? 2017/18 season tickets are now on sale.
Article Copyright © 2017. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Since securing their top six finish with a win over Motherwell, Partick Thistle have failed to win a game. A draw in Edinburgh against Hearts with a defeat by Rangers on either side of the Jambos clash. The Jags travelled to Perth next, trying to show that they can compete with fellow top half sides. They faced St. Johnstone, who were looking to secure fourth place and with it, a European spot.
Thistle returned to a three centre-half formation with Daniel Devine coming back from suspension. Ade Azeez also came into the starting line-up with Chris Erskine and Steven Lawless dropping to the bench. Adam Barton, Abdul Osman and Ryan Edwards created a triangle in the midfield, behind the strike force of Azeez and Kris Doolan.
The game started slowly with both teams struggling to get the ball down and play. The surface was slippery and that was causing a few players some problems as men on both teams lost their footing on a number of occasions. Despite this, the hosts did have a chance seven minutes in. The ball fell to Liam Craig on the edge of the box and the number 26 shot towards the far corner. Fortunately for the away team, his attempt was well wide of the post.
After 14 minutes, the Jags had a chance of their own. A bit of miscommunication between two Saints defenders allowed Ryan Edwards to nip in behind the St. Johnstone backline. The Australian broke into the box and shot from a tight angle but his attempt was saved with ease by Alan Mannus.
After their first chance of the game, Alan Archibald’s side almost found themselves behind, two minutes later. A low free kick was fired in from just outside the box and although it seemed that someone would try to touch it on the way to goal, no one did. The attempt looked like it was going to nestle into the bottom corner but Tomas Cerny made a strong, one-handed save down to his right-hand side, keeping the score level.
At this point, it felt like the sides were trading blows and in the 21st minute it was Thistle’s turn to threaten. A Ryan Edwards shot was partially blocked and flew high into the air. The Australian then ran to the ball and won an aerial challenge with a St. Johnstone defender. His touch took the ball towards Adam Barton and the ex-Portsmouth man headed on goal. Unfortunately for the travelling Jags fans at the other end of McDiarmid Park, they saw the attempt go marginally wide of the post.
The home side went close again on the half hour mark when Danny Swanson shot from range. His shot skipped up off the wet surface and Tomas Cerny couldn’t hold and had to block the effort with his chest. Thankfully for the Czech ‘stopper, Daniel Devine was on hand to clear the loose ball.
Thistle wouldn’t be able to breathe for long as the hosts were awarded a penalty in the 32nd minute. Graham Cummins was played forward after Abdul Osman was dispossessed in the middle of the park and he laid the ball off for Danny Swanson. Swanson then skipped past Niall Keown but the centre-half stuck a leg out and tripped the winger in the box. Stephen Finnie was convinced that there was contact and pointed to the spot and it was the man who won it that took it. Swanson stepped up and slotted home. Tomas Cerny went the right way but Swanson’s spot kick was tucked right into the bottom corner out of the goalkeeper’s reach.
An Ade Azeez half chance was the only sight of goal for either team between the opener and the interval but the Englishman’s attempt was collected comfortably by Alan Mannus in the St. Johnstone goal.
So that was how it stayed, heading into half-time with St. Johnstone leading. Neither team had taken the game by the scruff of the neck but you would have said that Tommy Wright’s side had probably edged it. The Jags had struggled to create much in the first 45 with creative outlets, Chris Erskine and Steven Lawless, on the bench and the pair were brought on at half time, replacing Ade Azeez and Daniel Devine.
Ten minutes after the restart, the deficit would have been doubled had it not been for Tomas Cerny. Liam Craig launched a teasing ball into the Thistle area that Tam Scobbie got on the end of. The ex-Falkirk defender headed on goal but Cerny was able to turn the ball over the bar brilliantly with a strong arm above his head.
As the Jags chased the game, Callum Booth saw a right-footed shot saved by Mannus after a lay-off by Erskine and Kevin Nisbet was brought on in place of the booked Ryan Edwards to try to add some danger in the attacking third.
Despite this change, it was Saints who almost grabbed a goal. Danny Swanson picked up the ball on the left wing and moved inside, towards the box. As Niall Keown jockeyed, the winger shifted onto his left foot and shot but Tomas Cerny tipped the ball over the crossbar magnificently to keep the score at 1-0.
Liam Lindsay also went close, with 12 minutes to go. He met a Callum Booth corner, heading towards the far corner but Liam Craig was well-positioned and headed behind, off the line.
That would be Thistle’s last chance of the game as St. Johnstone used their ability to see out games to great effect. They took the ball to the corner flag on a number of occasions and ran the clock down expertly, seeing the match finish 1-0.
This meant that the Jags slumped to a fourth straight game without victory and in the process, damaged any remaining hopes of catching Hearts in fifth place. They continue a disappointing end to a historic season for the club. Alan Archibald’s side mustn’t dwell on the loss and now turn their attentions to Celtic. The Hoops visit Firhill on Thursday evening with kick-off at 19:45.
Article Copyright © 2017. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk
It was a disappointing afternoon for Thistle fans as Alan Archibald took his side to McDiarmid Park for the third game since the split. The Jags went down 1-0 in a forgettable match and, when he spoke to ptfc.co.uk, Archibald was clear that the performance was not up to Thistle’s usual standards.
“Yea, I think St Johnstone deserved it today, especially on the second half performance. They were probably the better side for most of the game but we let them into it by giving the penalty away. We gave possession away in a key area and that led to spot kick being given. That’s the most disappointing thing because I felt the build up to it was very avoidable.
“There wasn’t a lot in it at any point but especially up until they scored the goal.it was two teams that were pretty much dead level in terms of possession and there really wasn’t much between the two sides. We know what to expect from St Johnstone and they are always going to be a tough side to break down but we didn’t do enough today.
“Our performance levels were way off it this afternoon. We weren’t good enough in possession and the number of stray passes showed that we really weren’t at it today. Compared to last week we were individually and collectively very poor. It’s disappointing because I thought things were level enough for the first 20 minutes or so but then they scored and that really changed the game.”
The Jags boss was at a loss to explain the drop off but didn’t hold back in showing his disappointment.
“I’m not sure why it happened today to be fair. The two performances we have put in since the split have been very good and there were loads of positives to take from both the Rangers and Hearts games even if we didn’t get the points that we maybe should have done. Today was different though, our performance levels dropped and we let St Johnstone control the game at times.
“We don’t want our season to fizzle out and I certainly don’t expect the players to be thinking like that in any way, shape or form.”
Despite the result there was one standout positive from the 90 minutes – another fantastic performance by Thistle’s primary custodian, Tomas Cerny.
“He has been superb all season. Once he got back to full fitness he was massive for us. He has won us points and games single handedly at times. We lost him for the first seven or eight games of the campaign and he was a massive loss. We’ve been delighted to have him back and he put in another wonderful performance for us today.
Alan Archibald’s side return to action on Thursday when Celtic are the visitors to Firhill. Kick-off for that game is at 19:45.
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Christie Elliott and Kevin Nisbet. Log in now to see it as soon as it is available.
A full game replay and extended highlights will be added shortly, both will be free for Jagzone subscribers.
For a full list of all the great content you can access from just £5.99 per month as a Jagzone member, click here.
Alan has committed, will you join him? 2017/18 season tickets are now on sale.
Article Copyright © 2017. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Thistle are left looking for their first post split win after a narrow 1-0 defeat at St Johnstone.
Lindsay's long throw is cleared.
Thistle throw wide on the left.
St Johnstone win a free kick down near the Thistle corner flag on the left.
Minimum of 2 additional minutes to be played.
Lawless' pass down the left for Booth skips over the turf and out for a goal kick. Time is running out on Thistle.
Lindsay's header is cleared from near the St Johnstone goal line.
Lawless' free kick is headed behind fpr a corner.
Elliott is fouled near the right hand corner of the St Johnstone box.
Cerny again underlines what a good goalkeeper he is with an excellent stop to prevent Swanson from firing into the net after a run deep into the Thistle box.
Erskine slips as he shoots 25 yards from goal and the ball trickles through to Mannus.
Booth's corner is headed clear.
Load appeals for a second St Johnstone penalty as Paton hits the deck inside the Thistle box.
Good play again from Thistle. Erskine on the left crosses for Doolan. Doolan lays the ball back to Booth but there isn't any real power behind his shot allowing Mannus to make a fairly comfortable save.
Some good interlinking play from Thistle gets the ball up to the feet of Doolan inside the box. The ball, however, is slightly behind Doolan and when he does get the ball from under his feet his shot goes wide.
Erskine lifts a good cross towards the back post but Mannus is there to make a confident catch.
More excellent goalkeeping from Cerny who twice in the matter of seconds whips the ball away from the feet of an advancing St Johnstone player.
St Johnstone are well in control at the moment with Thistle's half-time changes is both personnel and shape having little impact.
It takes an excellent save from Cerny to keep out Scobbie's header from inside the 6 yard box.
The ball falls to Craig at the edge of the box and Cerny does well to get his body firmly behind the ball and is able to hold the well struck effort.
Good defending from Lindsay at the edge of the box as St Johnstone are the first to show in the second half despite Thistle's two half-time changes.
St Johnstone have a narrow, bust just about deserved, half-time lead. They've certainly been the more enterprising of the two teams albeit their goal came via the penalty spot.
Thistle haven't been without chances. Both Edwards and Azeez have forced Mannus into saves and Barton headed wide from a good position but Thistle will need to offer more up front in the second half if they are to take anything from this fixture.
Azeez does well at the edge of the box to hold off two defenders and his shot is saved near his left hand post by Mannus.
Swanson makes no mistake with a well taken penalty finding the right hand corner of Cerny's net.
Swanson is clipped by Devine and St Johnstone have a penalty.
A Swanson shot swerves in front of Cerny and the ball squirms out of his grasp but the ball is cleared.
Booth takes the free kick and his rather tame effort smacks off the wall. He gets a second stab at it when the ball breaks back to him but that effort too strikes the wall.
Elliott is fouled and Thistle have a free kick about 2-3 yards outside the St Johnstone box and just marginally right of centre.
Best chance yet for Thistle. Play opens up in front of Edwards and although his shot is blocked the ball spins back to him. He knocks a cross into the box that Barton nods wide of target.
Paton takes the free kick for the home side and makes a real mess of it as the ball curls out of play at tge back post.
Another St Johnstone free kick. This time a little too far out for a direct effort on goal.
Craig goes low with the free kick and Cerny does really well to get down to get a hand to it. As the ball squirms loose the flag goes up for offside and Thistle have a free kick to restart play with.
Swanson is fouled and St Johnstone have a free kick about 25 yards from the Thistle goal a little right of centre.
First chance for Thistle as Edwards enjoys a break of the ball in Thistle's favour. His shot, from the right side of the box, is well enough hit but Mannus is able to push the ball away.
Keown is on hand to head clear a Cummins cross.
First clear look at goal for either side comes the way of the home side but Craig, in a decent position inside the Thistle box, can only drag his shot wide of target.
Doolan gets the ball over from the left hand side but his cross is headed away from Edwards inside the 6 yard box.
There are strong appeals for a St Johnstone free kick as Cummins looks to be held at the very edge of the Thistle box. Referee Finnie, however, is unimpressed.
With Hearts having lost a little earlier this afternoon Thistle go into this afternoon's match with St Johnstone knowing that a fifth place finish is still a distinct possibility. Victory this afternoon would take Thistle to within just a solitary point of Hearts with two games remaining.
Ahead of today's game manager Alan Archibald has made two changes to the side that started against Rangers last weekend.
Into the starting eleven come Danny Devine and Ade Azeez as the team looks to be adopting a more robust approach to the 90 minutes ahead. Chris Erskine and Stevie Lawless are the two players that drop to the bench to make way for Devine and Azeez.