SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Thu 18 May, 2017. Kick Off: - 19:45
Firhill Stadium
As the season’s end approaches it is an incredibly tough final two games that the Jags have to look forward to. With Celtic the visitors tonight and Aberdeen coming to Maryhill on Sunday Alan Archibald is determined not to let his side’s season peter out.
The Thistle boss spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of the clash and started by giving us his latest team news.
“It’s just the long term ones we’re missing – Sean Welsh, Gary Fraser and Ryan Scully. Mustapha has a question mark at the moment as he picked up a knock on his knee but apart from that we are fully fit and ready to go.”
There was an air of disappointment around the Firhill camp after the last match away to St Johnstone. A disappointing performance led to a 1-0 defeat but Archie and his coaches certainly weren’t going to let the players feel sorry for themselves as they continue to chase the first league win since the split.
“We spoke to the boys on Monday after the St Johnstone game because we felt the performance levels just dropped too far, especially after the good games we had against Hearts and for 80 minutes against Rangers. They’re an honest enough bunch though and they knew themselves that it wasn’t good enough.”
Archibald knows just how good Celtic have been this season but insists that he, along with all the players, take a great deal of heart from the fact they managed to earn a point the last time the two sides played. Having said that he was keen to emphasize that there will be no underestimating the champions when they make the short trip west across the city.
“Celtic are an extremely good side but we ran them close the last time out and managed to get a point out of Parkhead which has been a very rare thing this season. We competed well that night and I thought we were good value for the point we left with.
“We need to make sure we are ready for them tonight as, to be honest, I think they’re sometimes better away from home and have really hurt some teams this season – you saw that with Aberdeen last week. We know there is the odd weakness which is there to be exploited though and that’s what we did last time at Parkhead. On another day we might even have nicked another goal.
“We know it will be a tough night but we also know what we’re capable of so we’ll be giving everything to try and bring their run to an end and finish the season on a high.”
A more 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.
Can’t make Firhill? Jagzone World members (outside the UK and Ireland) can watch the game live – the stream is also available on a PPV basis. Jagzone members can listen to live audio commentary of the match.
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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.
It was a disappointing night at Firhill for Partick Thistle as Celtic flew out the traps against the Jags running out comfortable 5-0 winners over the Maryhill side.
Manager, Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk shortly after the full time whistle to give his thoughts on the 90 minutes.
“It was a very disappointing night. We played with a fear right from the start and Celtic fully exploited it. They could have been ahead before they won the penalty after 15 minutes and when they went in at 3-0 up at half time, I think they took the foot off the gas if I’m being honest.
“Celtic played the game at a really high tempo and we just couldn’t get anywhere near them. We stood off them and allowed their good players to get the ball in attacking zones and they punished them.”
Jags fans had the worrying sight of seeing Abdul Osman and Tomas Cerny being substituted at half time, something the manager hopes isn’t too serious.
“Tomas took a sore one on his arm when Celtic went 2-0 up and he couldn’t make it into the second half. Abdul came off worse in a challenge with Boyata so we’ll see how they are over the next couple of days. It disrupted us a little as it forced us to use two substitutes. We were going to make changes anyway but the injuries dictated who we have to bring on.”
Thistle have an opportunity to sign off with a win on Sunday as Aberdeen come to Firhill to sign off the season.
“We have to make sure we put on a show for our fans on Sunday. They pay their hard earned money to come to Firhill and we want to reward that with a win to sign off the campaign. We have two days to prepare before the game and we’ll use it to get a side that we hope can go into the game and get all three points to send the fans into the summer with a victory.”
The final game of the campaign is against Aberdeen. Kick off at Firhill on Sunday is 12:30
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Mark Ridgers. 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.
Thu 18 May, 2017
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
Firhill Stadium
An equally one-sided second half sees Celtic run out 5-0 winners on the night. This is a game that Thistle must quickly forget with Aberdeen visiting Firhill on Sunday.
Scott Sinclair is played through and squares the ball to Rogic who just has to tap home but he sees his shot saved and held by Mark Ridgers.
The loanee completes his hat-trick with another terrific effort as he curls a shot past Rudgers from 20 yards.
The Celtic man finds space during a 3-on-2 attack and hits a shot towards the top corner. His shot comes down off the crossbar and crosses the line according to the linesman. It appears to have been the right call.
Bitton hits a dipping effort from 30 yards but it doesn't dip quite enough and it clears the bar.
Scott Sinclair is played through and shoots towards the near post but his attempt hits the side netting.
A Celtic cross comes in from the right hand side of the Thistle box and it finds Sinclair. The substitute hits a volley on goal but Ridgers is there to turn the ball away.
Callum McGregor slices across the ball as he shoots from range and the shot flies into the North Stand.
Griffiths is played in and is running parallel to Lindsay. He gets space for a shot but hits it wide of the near post.
Celtic kick-off the second half here at Firhill.
It's been a dominant 45 minutes from the champions of Scotland. Three very different goals for the away side. One penalty, one from inside the six yard box and a wonder-strike from Roberts.
Thistle haven't really had a sniff with a sole chance from the opening 45 when Liam Lindsay headed straight at Gordon from a Chris Erskine cross.
You wouldn't be surprised if Celtic made a couple of changes with their cup final looming but we'll have to wait and see.
Much improvement needed from the Jags.
There will be one minute of added time.
Patrick Roberts is played the ball 25 yards from goal and the on-loan wideman sets himself before rifling a rocket of a shot into the far top corner.
Chris Erskine is slotted in behind Gamboa from a quick free-kick. He lifts a cross into the middle that is met by Liam Lindsay. The centre-half heads downwards and on target but Gordon saves with relative ease.
Scott Brown meets a Leigh Griffiths corner and heads powerfully on goal but his attempt flies over the Thistle bar.
Leigh Griffiths skips past two challenges before hitting a low cross towards Tom Rogic. The Australian then guides the ball in off the far post making it 2-0.
The no. 9 slots home from 12 yards, beating Tomas Cerny down to the 'keeper's left.
Celtic are awarded a penalty after Roberts is taken down by Callum Booth following some quick feet by the winger.
Tom Rogic plays the ball to James Forrest on the Celtic left and the Scotland international cuts inside, bursting past Christie Elliott, and then shooting. His shot is a good height for Tomas Cerny and the Czech 'stopper parries away from danger.
Abdul Osman has lead his Thistle teammates onto the pitch and kick-off is here. Kris Doolan gets the game underway, this evening.
On a sunny Thursday evening in Maryhill, Partick Thistle look to end a run of four games without a win. They face the champions of Scotland, Celtic, as the Hoops visit Firhill for the second time this season.
Alan Archibald has made three changes to the side that slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of St. Johnstone on Saturday. Ade Azeez, Ryan Edwards and Niall Keown drop to the bench with David Amoo, Chris Erskine and Steven Lawless coming into the starting line-up.
Celtic have made five changes to the team that went to Pittodrie last Friday and won 3-1. The Scottish Premiership's Player of the Year, Scott Sinclair, and Young Player of the Year, Kieran Tierney, both take a place on the bench while Moussa Dembele and Stuart Armstrong don't make the squad.
These two teams have met on three occasions so far this season, once at Firhill and twice at Parkhead. In the meeting at Firhill, Celtic easily dispatched of the Maryhill men, winning 4-1 but at Celtic Park the games have been closely contested this campaign.
In December, the Bhoys narrowly defeated Alan Archibald's side in a game that Thistle had chances in. Then after the winter break the Jags travelled to Parkhead again and this time they were able to take something away from the treble-hunting Celts. Despite going behind, early in the second half, an Ade Azeez goal and Tomas Cerny penalty save meant that the Jags were able to secure a draw at the home of the Champions.
Tonight, the teams are out warming up and the atmosphere is starting to build as we near kick-off for Thistle's penultimate game of the season.
Unfortunately, due to technical issues, there will be no JagzoneLIVE audio commentary tonight however the video stream is fully operational.