SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Sat 17 March, 2018. Kick Off: - 15:00
Tynecastle Stadium
Supporter Information :
This match is an ALL-TICKET match.
If you don’t have a ticket, don’t travel to the ground.
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 – 13:00
Thornwood Bar – 13:05
Prices:
£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 or email
North-West Branch:
Pick ups:
Milngavie Station – 12:30
Esquire House – 12:50
Maryhill Community Halls – 13:00
Prices:
£14 for adults
£8.50 for concessions.
Following a hard fought draw with Aberdeen on Saturday there was a more upbeat feel around Lesser Hampden on Friday morning. Having said that, Jags boss, Alan Archibald is under no illusions when it comes to the task his side faces this week. No matter what happens on Saturday though, Archie is confident that the positives from the clean sheet against Aberdeen will put his side in a good position when they travel to Tynecastle.
Speaking to ptfc.co.uk on Friday morning before training, Archibald said: “I think first of all the biggest thing is the clean sheet against a good Aberdeen side. It gives us something really positive to go and build on this weekend. Aberdeen are a good side and so are Hearts so we can go into Saturday’s game with good confidence and hopefully take the three points.
“We showed great character and that was one of the biggest things for me. The pitch combined with the weather didn’t make for good football but we had played good football the week before against Dundee and took nothing from the game so that might have been a good thing. It was great to see the character and to see the game out as well even when we were under a bit of pressure in the last five minutes. The players had a real will to keep it out of the net and get that clean sheet so hopefully it will be a valuable point come the end of the season.”
Speaking of points the gaffer was keen to emphasise that it is position in the table that matters most now, not the aesthetics of his side’s play.
“It’s all just about getting the points now. We’ve stressed that to the players as we have had a mixed season in terms of performances – you can tell that by where we are in the league – and everyone wants to play well but at this time of the season it’s just about getting points on the table and that really is all that matters.”
Thistle face a Hearts side on a poor run of form but, despite the games so far this season both being very close, Archibald knows his side will be in for a stern test.
“Hearts would probably think themselves that they’re on a bit of a bad run but I don’t think they’ve lost since they went back to Tynecastle so they certainly can’t be underestimated. I think Craig has done exactly what he said he was going to do by making them really hard to beat at Tynecastle and they’ve done that, going on a fantastic run at the same time. It’s always a hard place to go, everyone knows that going there now.
“It’s always a good place to go and I certainly used to love playing there with the fans right on top of you but, like any big club, I think the fans can get frustrated and if we can turn them that way it can work in our favour. We look forward to going there and they have been close games between us so far this season – two draws I think – so there’s not much between us really.”
Following last season’s top six success, Thistle’s league position this season is perhaps a surprise. Regardless of expectations though, the Jags boss knew it was always going to be tougher this time around.
“We certainly hoped to be doing better but at the same time we were well aware of how hard it was going to be this season with another big side coming into the league and all the teams in the league spending that little bit extra. Having said that, what we didn’t see was us going on a really bad run but injuries also played a big part in that. It is what it is now though and we just need to get on with it.
“The good thing is that the players are aware of it and know what to expect. It’s not a bolt out of the blue and we never came into the season expecting to be a top six side – it was never like that – we’ve been here before though and hopefully that equips us well to deal with it.
“The games are always with you, but especially when things aren’t going to plan, you can’t shake it off. You’re always thinking about what you’re going to do. You learn how to control it and how to hide it better but it doesn’t ever go away.”
Finally, the manager gave us a rundown of his team news and it was, for the most part, positive.
“We’re looking a bit healthier than we were last weekend in terms of Abdul Osman coming back into the squad. He pulled out on the day of the game last week as he was ill. That was a loss but thankfully it didn’t cost us. Obviously Conor Sammon misses out because he can’t play against his parent club but Dumbuya and Keown will hopefully train today (Friday) so could be in contention for the match.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Callum Booth, Ryan Edwards and Jags gaffer, Alan Archibald, are now available to Jagzone subscribers – log in now to see them.
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Article Copyright © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Following six straight games without a win, Partick Thistle travelled east to take on Hearts at Tynecastle. The Jags ended a run of four defeats in a row last weekend with a draw against Aberdeen. Thistle battled to a goalless stalemate with the Dons but despite the positive result, they remained in 11th, three points behind Dundee in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Alan Archibald made two changes to the side who drew with Aberdeen for his side’s trip to the capital. Conor Sammon, who is on loan at Thistle from Hearts, was ineligible to play against his parent club and as such dropped out of the squad. He was replaced in the starting line-up by Kris Doolan who came to Gorgie looking to secure his 100th league game for Partick Thistle. The second change saw Jags skipper, Abdul Osman return to the starting XI in place of Andrew McCarthy, who filled in for the midfielder admirably last time out.
The match started slowly with both sides struggling to get to grips with a slippery Tynecastle surface which was leading to slips all over the park. Due to this it took around 12 minutes for either side to produce a purposeful attack and it was the hosts who carved out the first opportunity of the game. It came from a floated delivery into the box which was met by Kyle Lafferty. The former Norwich City forward flicked the ball towards goal where Steven Naismith had made a good run. The Scotland international rose to meet the flick-on but headed over the bar from close range.
Having passed up on that chance, the Jambos wouldn’t waste their next opening as they took the lead in the 16th minute. A quick back-to-front move culminated with Steven Naismith poking the ball through to the forward-charging Kyle Lafferty. The experienced frontman then held his nerve and slotted home past Tomas Cerny in the one-on-one. The goal gave the away side a mountain to climb as the Jags hadn’t come from behind to win a game since October of last year.
The hosts now had their tails up and took advantage of the momentum created by the first goal as they doubled the lead on 21 minutes. The opener was a decent attacking move that carved the Jags defence open but the second was no one’s fault but the visitors themselves. Abdul Osman laid the ball back to Baily Cargill who stalled and stalled before attempting to clear the ball. The centre-half took too long though and Joaquim Adao tackled the Bournemouth loanee allowing Hearts’ number 66 to break into the attacking third. He spotted the late run of Steven Naismith who he squared the ball to and Naismith made no mistake in guiding the ball home on the run taking the points even further away from Thistle’s grasp.
The home side continued to dominate the first 45 minutes with the Jags struggling to get a foothold in a game that was already slipping away from them. In the 34th minute, many of the home supporters thought there should have been a penalty that would have given Hearts a chance for a third. It was Daniel Devine and Kyle Lafferty who were involved in the incident as the latter toppled over in the box claiming for the spot kick. The referee did blow his whistle but it was for a dive rather than a penalty as Lafferty went into the book for simulation.
In spite of the waved away penalty claims, Craig Levein’s Jambos were able to make it three before half-time as they stretched the deficit on 43 minutes. A long throw from the Hearts right found its way into the visitors’ six-yard box and John Souttar had made the diagonal run to meet it. He got something on it and, under the challenge of his marker, he was able to find the back of the net to get his first goal of the season.
So, the teams went into the break with the game all but decided already. A mixture of poor performance and individual errors had cost Thistle with three preventable goals putting them in an unsalvageable position. The travelling Jags did make two half time alterations to try to make the second half competitive at least. Andrew McCarthy came on for Abdul Osman who had picked up an early booking and seemed to be close to a second, meanwhile Adam Barton replaced Stevie Lawless to facilitate a formation change as Alan Archibald changed from a 4-2-3-1 to a 5-3-2.
Partick Thistle started the second period in a positive way and could have pulled a goal back within two minutes of the restart. Miles Storey found Christie Elliott on the right wing and the Englishman tried a low cross into the box. His delivery almost found Kris Doolan although Jon McLaughlin smothered it. It would fall, however, to Chris Erskine who hit a shot on the turn but the ex-Kilbirnie Ladeside playmaker saw his half-volley fly just over the bar.
After a period with no chances for either side, the away side made their third and final change of the day. Chris Erskine came off to be replaced by Ryan Edwards as Alan Archibald looked to re-energise his team.
Four minutes after that change Thistle had another good opportunity to pull a goal back. Following a Thistle clearance, a Hearts defender slipped on the half-way line allowing Miles Storey to move towards goal. He burst forward one-on-one with Jon McLaughlin eventually taking the shot with his right foot from a 45 degree angle. Unfortunately for the ex-Inverness forward, he shot straight at the ‘keeper who stood tall to block the shot.
Storey had another chance to grab a goal in the 73rd minute but was once again denied by McLaughlin who is days away from his first trip away with the Scottish national team. Christie Elliott saw a right-footed cross blocked before whipping in a powerful delivery with his left peg. The ball found the head of Miles Storey who instinctively directed the ball goalward. He got the ball on target but his effort was slightly too close to the goalkeeper who grabbed the ball out of the air to deny Thistle’s number 39.
Despite a handful of second half chances as part of a good performance since the break, Thistle were unable to grab even a single goal as consolation. The change in formation and personnel did the Jags a world of good after the break but it was all too little too late as the damage was done in the opening 45 minutes.
The Maryhill men must now dwell on a convincing defeat for two weeks as the league goes into an international break. Thistle return to action against Hibernian in a fortnight’s time with kick-off from Easter Road at 15:00.
THISTLE TEAM: Cerny, Booth, Cargill, Osman (McCarthy, HT), Doolan, Erskine (Edwards, 64′), Lawless (Barton, HT), Elliott, Devine, Woods, Storey.
UNUSED SUBS (PTH): Scully, Spittal, McGinn, Penrice.
HEARTS TEAM: McLaughlin, Smith, Souttar, Hughes, Berra, Amankwaa (Moore, 89′), Godinho, Adao (Cochrane, 65′), Cowie (McDonald, 76′), Naismith, Lafferty.
UNUSED SUBS (HOM): Hamilton, Randall, Callachan, Henderson
Article Copyright © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Having battled to a well-earned point against Aberdeen seven days ago, Partick Thistle looked to continue their push for Premiership survival as they travelled to Tynecastle to take on Craig Levein’s Hearts. Unfortunately, much of the fight and dogged determination that the Jags displayed against the Dons last weekend was absent as they came to the capital and the Jambos ran out 3-0 winners with all the damage done in the opening 45 minutes. Kyle Lafferty opened the scoring for the home side on 16 minutes before the hosts doubled their lead through Steven Naismith five minutes later. A brilliant first half for the Edinburgh side was capped off by John Souttar who got on the end of a long throw-in to make it three with two minutes left until the interval. The loss leaves Thistle in 11th place, without a win in seven and with only three games left until the split. Jags manager, Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk following the match.
Archie began by outlining his disappointment with the way his side played in the first half as they gave themselves a mountain to climb by falling two goals behind within 21 minutes.
“It’s supremely frustrating, especially after last Saturday when the guys showed that they do have that grit and fight in them. We weren’t anywhere near it for the first 25 minutes and even after that it wasn’t much better. By the time the lads woke up, the game was gone and you can’t afford to start slowly against anyone in this league.”
The gaffer then went on to tell what he thought were the factors that led to today’s convincing defeat.
“A lot of things went wrong for us today. We looked slow when going for second balls and Hearts were winning a lot of the 50/50s that came up. We knew they would be keen to put the derby loss behind them but we didn’t match their desire. The overall performance was poor but when you combine that with a string of silly errors, there’s only ever going to be one result.”
We then spoke to Alan about where the team goes from here with a string of difficult fixtures coming after the international break ahead of the league split.
“At the end of the day, we now have two weeks to fix the things that didn’t work today. There’s no doubt that we were nowhere near good enough this afternoon but we must not dwell on it as that won’t help us to improve. We have to use the break to regroup and prepare for three big games.”
The first of those three pre-split fixtures comes at Easter Road as Thistle’s next fixture is against Hibernian in two weeks time. Kick-off is 15:00 in Leith.
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Kris Doolan and Andrew McCarthy. Log in now to see it as soon as it is available.
Jagzone subscribers can rewatch the full 90 minutes soon.
Highlights will be added shortly and will be free for Jagzone subscribers.
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Article Copyright © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk
Sat 17 March, 2018
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
Tynecastle Stadium
A very poor day at the office for Thistle which leaves plenty for Alan Archibald to consider over the international break. Thistle return to action in a fortnight against Hibs.
We'll have a minimum of two minutes additional time to play.
Thistle have looked stronger since moving to a three man defence in the second half but they've still really struggled to hurt Hearts in any way.
A strong mazy run from Elliott ends up with him losing the ball in the Hearts box.
Lovely ball from McCarthy towards Doolan but Dools is marginally offside.
Hearts again causing Thistle problems from a throw in but the ball is eventually cleared.
Barton blocks a Harry Cochrane shot from the edge of the area.
Chance for Thistle as Elliott drills an excellent ball across goal. Storey glances his header towards the net but McLaughlin saves smartly above his head.
Storey is stretching them down the right but the end product just isn't there at the moment.
Woods puts an excellent ball in that causes some difficulties for the Hearts defence but it is eventually cleared.
In amongst the action McLaughlin and Hughes come together and it looks like a sore one for the former Newcastle United man.
Barton gives away a free kick just at the far corner flag. Hearts have a chance to get the ball into the box here. Ball is cleared though and all of a sudden Storey is one on one with the keeper. His shot though, is straight at McLaughlin.
Wee bit of a stoppage as Lafferty gets some treatment for a hamstring injury. He's back on now though.
Thistle are starting to find some joy down the right hand side as Storey and Elliott link up well.
Better from Thistle as some good work earns a corner. The near post delivery is headed away by Hughes though.
Storey gets a cross into the box after some good work from Elliott but he can't find Doolan with his ball.
Corner drifted in and, although he gets hands on it at the first time of asking, Cerny needs two bites to get it properly under control.
Nothing much happening with Hearts enjoying the majority of the possession while not showing the threat they did in the first half. Thistle struggling to get the ball into the areas where they can hurt Hearts though.
Chance for Thistle as the visitors already look more dangerous going forward. Elliott gets a good ball into the box which the keeper pushes wide. The ball falls directly to Erskine but his shot is high over the bar.
Osman is taken off at half time - a sensible decision considering his early booking - and Lawless also stays in the dressing room as Thistle go three at the back.
Shot from Cowie, almost straight from kick off, goes just over the bar.
A terrible 45 minutes for Thistle sees the visitors go in at half time 3-0 down. Hearts have been the better team in every area of the pitch and could be lucky to still have 11 men on the pitch. Will need a monumental improvement if the Jags are to take anything from this game.
We'll be back with all the action from the second half, shortly.
One minute extra time.
The ball is floated in from the right and headed home by Souttar.
Naismith steps up to hit it but it's low and straight into the wall.
Corner taken short and the resulting shot is deflected but not cleared and Hearts end up winning a free kick 25 yards from goal.
Ball in to the back post is put behind by Callum Booth. Cowie's corner is to the back post and the resulting header is cleared for another corner.
It's a yellow card for a blatant dive.
A slip from Berra sets Doolan away down the right flank but the Scotland international recovers well to get it back to his keeper.
More nerves for Thistle as Hearts work the ball well at the edge of the box, eventually getting it to Cowie whose shot is well saved by Cerny who gets down smartly to his left.
Again Thistle probe the Hearts box but the ball is just not falling for a black shirt. At the other end Lafferty has his claims for a penalty against Danny Devine waved away. Correct decision.
Better play from the visitors as they start to probe the Hearts box. The keeper parries one and the defence look under pressure but there's no final ball from Thistle.
The ball almost falls for Kris Doolan in the box but it is defended well. The Thistle number 9 was offside anyhow.
Really poor play from Thistle there as Osman gives Cargill the ball from central midfield. Cargill dwells on the ball too long and Has it nicked off his toe by Adao who plays it inside to Naismith allowing Hearts' number 14 to finish past Cerny. 2-0
Danny Devine's long free kick comes to nothing.
Thistle defence is picked apart by the first piece of incisive play so far this afternoon. A quick ball into Naismith is swept through the centre backs for Lafferty to run on to and with only Cerny to beat the Northern Irishman finishes well through the keeper's legs. 1-0.
Another foul from Osman who just needs to be careful now. Hearts players surround the ref and it's clear what they're asking for. Free kick just inside the Jags half. The ball is played to the back post but comes to nothing. Goal kick.
Hearts corner taken short but Lafferty's shot is closed down at the edge of the area.
Half chance for Hearts as Lafferty wins a header in the box from a deep free kick and nods it towards Naismith. The Hearts man can't keep his header down though.
Someone's turned the Tynecastle snow machine on!
Ball comes into the Jags box from the left but Don Cowie's header is seen easily over the bar for a goal kick.
Hearts holding the ball and probing the Jags defence well but the visitors look comfortable at the moment.
Adao has a shot from distance closed down by Osman.
A good ball down the left almost sees Storey in a position to deliver a ball into the box and with Erskine waiting in the box it could have been a chance. Souttar does well though and the ball is smuggled out for a goal kick.
Free kick to Hearts after Danny Devine is deemed to have committed a foul. Looked like he might have nicked the ball though. Lafferty shaping to hit it from just under 30 yards. It's curled towards goal but is gathered comfortably by Tomas Cerny.
Long throw into the box causes Thistle problems nut Booth does well to get it clear and set the Jags away on a counter.
Thistle moving the ball around nicely but a long ball from Elliott finds Erskine just in an offside position.
Even in the early stages the Tynecastle pitch is playing its part with four or five players from both sides slipping in the first 90 seconds.
Chris Erskine gets us underway.
Good afternoon and welcome to Tynecastle Park in Edinburgh for this afternoon's text commentary as Thistle take on Hearts.
Thistle salvaged a late draw on our last trip to Gorgie and hero of that game, Kris Doolan is restored to the starting line up with Conor Sammon ineligible to play against his parent side.
Thistle's other change sees skipper Abdul Osman replace Andrew McCarthy - the youngster can count himself very unfortunate to drop out after an impressive performance last weekend.
We have full audio coverage on #JagZone but if you are staying with us this afternoon, we hope you enjoy the game.
Kick off from a sunny stadium coming in around 25 minutes time.