SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Fri 15 September, 2017. Kick Off: - 19:45
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Home support
Tickets are still available to purchase for the Thistle end. The ticket office will be open on Friday between 10am and 5pm. There will be NO ticket sales after 5pm.
Season Ticket Holders
Thistle fans with a season ticket can use their season cards in either the Colin Weir or North Stands where there will be handheld card scanners. This means that, if you are a season ticket holder, you don’t need to do anything else – simply turn up as usual and use your season card at the Colin Weir or North Stand turnstiles.
Collections
If you have a match ticket or season ticket to collect, you can do so from the Colin Weir Stand reception from 6:15pm on Friday. We anticipate it being busy so would recommend early collection to ensure admittance for kick off.
Away support
Away support will be located in the Jackie Husband Stand. The away end is completely sold out. Please do not travel to the ground if you don’t have a ticket.
Hospitality
Hospitality for home support is located in the Aitken Suite in the Main Stand and is accessible through the main entrance to the stand on Firhill road. Guests can gain access to the suite from 5:30pm.
Away hospitality is located in the Jackie Husband Stand and is accessible through the main entrance half way up the stand. Guests can gain access to the suite from 5:30pm.
Aitken Suite
As a result of the Aitken Suite being used for hospitality the supporters bar will not be open pre or post-match except for hospitality guests.
It has been a busy week for all concerned at the club as players, staff, coaches and manager gear up for another tough run of games. Taking time out of his busy schedule to talk to ptfc.co.uk, Thistle boss, Alan Archibald, started by admitting that the most important thing about Friday night is the points.
“A win of any kind would be good and I don’t necessarily think it matters who it is against. We haven’t won in the league yet so that is our main concern – regardless of who the opposition is. The longer it goes on the more people start to see it as a monkey on our backs.
“We got a point last week and hopefully that becomes a good point with a result at home on Friday that we can hopefully follow up on with more of the same next week. We don’t care about whatever incentive the opposition might have of going top of the league or whatever it may be. Our incentive is just as big as theirs that’s all I or any of the players are worried about.”
Although Thistle didn’t manage to take a point of Rangers last season they twice went within minutes of going one better as victories were snatched away from them in each of the home ties.
“I think we learnt a lot from the games last season and it showed that we had more than enough to match them for long periods of the game. Our quality showed and it just proves that we have got what it takes in a number of different areas to go and take the game to the best teams in the league.
“We can reflect on those games and know that we did a lot of things well but they’re a very different team this season having strengthened in the summer and I think you’ve seen that already in the early games. They’ll take time to properly gel as there has been a big turnover in players but the talent is definitely there.”
Top six last year was a marker for Thistle but Archie is under no illusions and knows the league has only got tougher.
“Every team in the league has strengthened, you can see that across the board. I said at the start of the season that it will be a really tough league this season because of the improvements the other teams have made and I stand by that. Games are won and lost with narrow, narrow margins and on the night you have to be at your very best from the first whistle to the last.
“One thing we can’t get away from is the fact that we need to defend better. We haven’t been good enough at the back so far this season and we need to improve that as soon as possible.”
It’s Friday Night Lights for The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill as the BT cameras travel to Maryhill to cover the game, however one thing is certain – Archibald’s team will not be distracted.
“The Friday night thing doesn’t really make a difference to us to be honest. We change our week and adapt our training but it’s still all geared towards the game on the Friday. I think the players like playing under the floodlights and in front of the cameras. It’s something a bit different and it always comes with a great atmosphere, we just need to make the most of it. The pitch is in great condition and the stadium will be bouncing come kick off so everything is there for us to go and do our jobs.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Jordan Turnbull and Ryan Edwards and Jags gaffer, Alan Archibald are now available to Jagzone subscribers – log in now to see them. Jagzone members will also be able to watch highlights of the game from midnight.
Can’t make The Energy Check Stadium at 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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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.
Partick Thistle picked up their first league point of the season last weekend when they drew 1-1 at the Global Energy Arena against Ross County. They looked to build on that this evening as they welcomed city rivals, Rangers to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill. Thistle sat in tenth place on equal points with the bottom two, Dundee and Kilmarnock. Rangers came into the game in fourth place and off the back of a 4-1 demolition of Dundee in their last outing.
Thistle started without Tomas Cerny for the first time this season as his injury problems had not subsided since the County clash. Ryan Scully started in his place. The backline reverted to the three centre-half set-up that was so successful for the Jags at the start of this year. Daniel Devine and Jordan Turnbull retained their place from the match against the Staggies while Niall Keown made his return from suspension to complete the three. The Jags’ wing-backs were Christie Elliott and Paul McGinn, who was making his debut for Thistle having received international clearance this afternoon. In the centre of the park, Ryan Edwards played alongside Adam Barton. Blair Spittal and Chris Erskine begin the game out wide while Miles Storey started up front, making his second Thistle start. On the bench, there were dangerous options for Alan Archibald. Kris Doolan, Steven Lawless, Stuart Bannigan and Conor Sammon all represented chances for Archie to switch things up mid-game.
Prior to kick-off, all in the stadium took part in a minute’s applause in memory of Thistle super fan Harry Calderhead who sadly passed away recently. His effect on the club was a great one and he is a man who will not be forgotten at Partick Thistle.
The first notable action of the match was a substitution. Rangers’ skipper, Lee Wallace, picked up an injury while attempting a shot and further damaged the area in a tussle with Miles Storey. The influential full-back had to be withdrawn with Declan John coming on in his place.
Shortly after that change, Rangers had the lead and it came through Alfredo Morelos in the 17th minute. The marksman was fed the ball wide in the Jags box and shot across goal. His drive was low and powerful, beating Ryan Scully and finding the far corner. This was the first time in three games that the Ibrox side had broken the deadlock in Maryhill.
Rangers had a chance to double the deficit on the half-hour mark when an Alfredo Morelos cross was chested down into the path of Josh Windass by Kenny Miller. The ex-Accrington Stanley man, Windass shot on goal but it was blocked by an array of Thistle bodies throwing themselves at the ball.
After that Windass opportunity there were only half-chances to be had before the break and the sides went into the interval at 1-0 to the travelling Gers. Thistle had enjoyed very little of the ball with the visitors having most of the possession. Thistle needed a quick reaction if they were to drag themselves back into things and that’s exactly what they did.
Four minutes into the second 45, Miles Storey won a free-kick on the edge of the Rangers box. Set-piece specialist, Blair Spittal, stepped up to take the kick and fired a shot on goal. His attempt was on target but looked like it was going to be saved until it took a deflection on its way through the wall, allowing it to beat Wes Foderingham and bring Thistle level.
The leveller was followed by another Thistle goal when stand-in captain, Chris Erskine found the net ten minutes later. Blair Spittal was able to break through the Rangers backline and square a ball across goal. The pass found Chris Erskine who tapped home from close range to net his first ever Thistle goal from inside the six-yard box. The goal was Erskine’s 51st in the red and yellow and also gave the Jags the lead in this fixture.
The ecstasy of the goal was unfortunately short lived Jags number ten, Erskine as he was sent off seven minutes later. The midfielder took too many touches in the middle of the park and when he lost control of the ball, he lunged in on Alfredo Morelos picking up a red card from referee, Willie Collum. Suddenly it was all hands on deck for the Jags as they faced around 25 minutes of action with a one-man deficit.
The Thistle defence held out for ten minutes before Rangers nabbed an equaliser. Ex-Thistle loanee, Graham Dorrans, picked up the ball 30 yards from the Jags’ goal. He dodged onto his right foot before unleashing a curling effort on goal. He picks out the top corner and despite Ryan Scully getting a slight touch on the shot, it beats the ‘keeper and Rangers drew level.
After the goal, Thistle made their first changes of the evening. Conor Sammon and Stuart Bannigan were brought on to replace Miles Storey and Blair Spittal.
With the game entering its final minutes, Rangers launched the ball into the box as much as possible. They packed the box with bodies but struggled to create any meaningful openings. There was one delivery that almost lead to a goal when Alfredo Morelos tried to break away from his marker Niall Keown. The pair ended up falling to the ground together and Ryan Scully claimed the resultant loose ball.
Some good game management and solid defending carried Thistle over the line as they secured the point and gained the Maryhill men their first draw against the Gers’ in the league since May 1995. The point leaves them in the same spot they started the game in, tenth, but the Jags now sit a point clear of Killie and Dundee, who make up the bottom two spots.
The Jags now have to focus on Tuesday’s Betfred Cup clash with the Gers as they prepare for round two of Thistle-Rangers this week. Kick-off is 19:45 from the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill.
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.
After guiding his Partick Thistle side to their first point of the league season against Ross County last time out, Jags boss Alan Archibald faced the tough task of a Rangers visit to Maryhill for the first of two meetings with the Gers this week. His side fell behind early thanks to a Alfredo Morelos goal but battled back to take the lead through two goals early in the second half. Blair Spittal and Chris Erskine both netted for the Jags but goal scorer, Erskine was sent off with over 20 minutes to go and with that the game shifted. Rangers piled on the pressure and got their equaliser through former Thistle man, Graham Dorrans, as he struck a ranged shot home from 25 yards. They continued their onslaught into the dying embers of the game but were unable to break down a resolute Thistle rear-guard and the game ended level. Thistle manager, Alan Archibald, spoke with ptfc.co.uk after the game to share his thoughts on the evening’s action.
Despite being pleased with the way his team came back to take the lead, Archie was disappointed with the goal that his boys conceded to let Rangers draw level.
“I think the game changes massively with the red card because after that we struggled to get any of the ball. We actually dealt with most of their attack well and Ryan Scully barely had a save to make if he even had one. The Rangers second was too easy for them. We let Dorrans step inside and we know the quality he has and he showed it there.”
Although, he felt Chris Erskine’s dismissal was a game changer, the gaffer was under no illusions about whether it was a red or not.
“It’s a blatant red card. Chris hasn’t got a bad bone in his body but he can’t tackle. That was evidenced in the red card collision. It came from him taking too many touches which was a bad habit throughout the team tonight. A lot of Rangers’ best attacks came from quick possession turnovers that were our own fault.”
Thistle’s poor start to the league season has been well-documented but Archie hopes that this result and performance, against one of the Jags’ city rivals, will galvanise the lads and give them confidence and motivation going forward.
“We’ve had a tough run but we feel we should have more points on the board. I asked the boys to build on what we did in the Highlands last week and they’ve done that. They showed belief and character to get back into the game after going behind so there are more than enough positives to take from tonight’s game.”
Alan and his squad now look forward to another clash with Rangers, this time in the Betfred Cup. The Jags take on the Gers in a league cup quarter-final on Tuesday night. Kick-off is 19:45 from the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill.
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Paul McGinn. Log in now to see it as soon as it is available.
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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.
Fri 15 September, 2017
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Tavernier whips a ball to the back post and Morelos and Keown tussle to meet it. In the end neither of them really make contact and Scully dives over Morelos to claim.
Turnbull is booked for dragging Morelos to the floor.
Dorrans picks out the top corner from 20 yards.
After some good passing play, Miles Storey has a one-on-one run at Fabio Cardoso. He makes space for a shot but scoops his effort well off-target.
Spittal picks up the ball on the break and moves towards the Gers' goal. He decides to shoot 30 yards out but his attempt sails high and wide.
A ball towards the far end of the Thistle box is headed down by Bruno Alves. His knockdown finds Herrera but he can only touch it over the bar, under pressure and on the stretch.
Thistle goalscorer, Erskine, is dismissed for a late, late tackle.
Herrera crosses from the left and it causes chaos in the Jags six-yard box. It ends up in Scully's arms.
Blair Spittal gets in behind the Rangers backline and squares the ball. He finds stand-in captain who nets his 51st Thistle goal with a tap-in.
Josh Windass picks up the ball and drives down the left wing. He holds it up before moving onto his right foot. He then shoots but it's blazed well over.
Thistle win a free-kick on the edge of the Gers' box. Spittal takes and shoots. It seems to take a sizable deflection but ends up in the Gers net nonetheless.
Tavernier finds space on the right wing and cuts a ball abck to Candeias in the box. The number 21 shoots but slices it wide of the near post.
The defender is cautioned for a late tackle on Kenny Miller.
Rangers get the second 45 underway.
A Candeias free-kick from 20 yards goes low. It hits a man in the wall but the deflection causes chaos. Rangers are calling for a penalty when DAnny Devine collides with Morelos but the frontman was offside.
James Tavernier drives forward down the Rangers right and whips a cross in. It's a great ball and Josh Windass is looking to get on the end of it. He gets to the ball but can't direct it on target and it goes for a goalkick.
Ryan Jack is down receiving treatment after a tackle with Ryan Edwards. The Gers' players are claiming that Edwards left a foot in but the referee hasn't given anything. The play went on and Miles Storey was called offside so it's a Rangers free-kick in their half anyway.
Alfredo Morelos lifts a cross to the back post where Kenny Miller has found space. He chests it down to Windass. The ex-Accrington man shoots but his attempt is blocked by the flying Thistle bodies and the danger is eventually cleared.
Paul McGinn slots Miles Storey down the right wing and the number 39 whips in a cross. He picks out Erskine who volleys but he miscues wildly, hitting it over the North Stand.
The Rangers man is fed the ball in the Thistle box and shoots across goal. He beats Ryan Scully and finds the far corner with a well hit drive.
Lee Wallace is down and in need of treatment for Rangers. He was down for a bit after his earlier shot and now after a tustle with Miles Storey he's struggling again.
The ball breaks to Lee Wallace on the edge of the Thistle box and he tries a shot. It rebounds off a defender then Wallace himself and it goes for a goalkick.
After a minute's applause in memory of Jags super fan, Harry Calderhead, Miles Storey kicks the game off.
Welcome to the ptfc.co.uk text commentary for Partick Thistle's Ladbrokes Premiership clash with city rivals, Rangers.
The Jags come into the game having failed to win all five of their opening league matches although they did earn their first point of the season last time out when they drew 1-1 with Ross County in the Highlands.
Rangers come into the game in good scoring form having dispatched of Dundee convincingly last week, beating the Dee 4-1.
Thistle start with Ryan Scully in goals due to Tomas Cerny's stomach problem that hasn't gone away since the County clash when he was substituted in the first half. The backline reverts to a three centre-half set-up that was so successful for the Jags at the start of this year. Daniel Devine and Jordan Turnbull retain their place from the match against the Staggies while Niall Keown returns from suspension to complete the three. The Jags' wing-backs are Christie Elliott and Paul McGinn, who makes his debut for Thistle having received international clearance this afternoon. In the centre of the park, Ryan Edwards plays alongside Adam Barton. Blair Spittal and Chris Erskine begin the game out wide while Miles Storey starts up front, making his second Thistle start.
On the becnh, there are dangerous options for Alan Archibald. Kris Doolan, Steven Lawless, Stuart Bannigan and Conor Sammon all represent chances for Archie to switch things up mid-game.
The warm-ups are almost over and the game is drawing nearer. Can Thistle end their 24-year winless run against the Gers? Will they grab their first league win of the season?
Kick-off is in 25 minutes.