SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Sat 31 March, 2018. Kick Off: - 15:00
Easter Road, Edinburgh
Supporter Information:
Ticket details:
Tickets are available from the Easter Road ticket pod, but due to lengthy queues experienced the last time Thistle visited the Edinburgh club, Jags fans are encouraged to arrive early to ensure entry in time for kick off.
Tickets, which are on general sale with no limit per transaction, can be purchased in the following ways:
Tickets are priced as follows:
Adults – £22
Concessions – £12
A concession is classed as a person under 18 years old, a person aged 65 or older or a student in full time education with a valid matriculation card.
Disabled tickets are also available. Please contact the club on 0141 579 1971 or visit the Firhill offices to purchase.
Tickets are available to purchase at Easter Road on the day of the match.
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.
It’s fair to say that the international break probably couldn’t have come at a worse time for Alan Archibald and his team. Fresh off the back of a disappointingly poor performance against Hearts there is little doubt that the last thing Archie would have wanted was a weekend with no game.
So, with some teams taking extended time away from the training pitch it was business as usual and hard work for Archie’s men as they look to bounce back with a much improved performance against Hibs this weekend. Focus was very much the name of the game when the Jags boss spoke to ptfc.co.uk just before fulfilling his media duties after training on Thursday.
“We’ve not really been away to be honest. By the nature of the international break when things aren’t going so well you have to use the time to improve and get back to where you should be, that was the case for us last week. The boys had a couple of days off because obviously we didn’t have a game but apart from that it has been business as usual really.
“It’s difficult to get away from it but, as I say, we were in and working hard for the most part anyway. Where we are now we just need to focus, keep working hard and do our best to get ourselves out of the bother that we’re in.
“The Hearts game was a big disappointment for us. I think everyone knows you can’t win every game but, especially going into the international break, I think you want a performance and we just didn’t get that. Our application has to be better especially given that we’ve been in a relegation battle for most of the season, the players didn’t show enough at Tynecastle and we’ll need them to be much better on Saturday as we look at another tough game.”
When asked if he could put his finger on Thistle’s poor form this season it was one word that sprang to the front of Archibald’s mind.
“Inconsistency has been the biggest problem for us this season and we had an excuse for it in the earlier months because we had a lot of injuries but we haven’t got that excuse now. We performed really well against Aberdeen but it was chalk and cheese when we went out against Hearts. That consistency is going to be essential in the final seven games.
“We haven’t had many overall good performances over a complete 90 minutes but we’re at the stage where it isn’t even about that anymore – it’s just about getting points on the board. Our first aim is to make sure we are in touching distance of the teams around us come the split but we’ve got tough games coming up so we know it won’t be easy.”
It’s a return to Edinburgh this weekend to play high flying Hibs and a much improved performance is expected.
“Easter Road is always a tough place to go and there’s no arguing with the fact that Hibs are a top side. Neil has done a great job and they are where they are fully on merit. We need to get a reaction from our lads after the disappointing display last time out.
“The players know the position they are in and what we need to do between now and the end of the season. We need to get points on the board and get the most we possibly can from the pre-split games we have left. If we can go into the last section of the season in as strong a position as possible then we can keep it in our own hands to get ourselves out of the trouble we are in.
“We’ve had one or two good performances but, unlike last season, we really haven’t put a run together and that’s what you need if you want to start looking up the table.”
The good news for Archie is that he has pretty much a full squad from which to pick.
“Everyone apart from Stuart Bannigan is available so we have a strong set of players at our disposal. That’s a big positive and will hopefully mean that whatever we do we’ll have a strong bench to pick from.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Baily Cargill, Conor Sammon 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 extended highlights of the game.
Can’t make it to the Easter Road? Jagzone members can listen to live audio commentary of the match. JagZoneLIVE begins at 2:30pm on Saturday.
For a full list of all the great content you can access from just £5.99 per month as a Jagzone member, click here.
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.
After a long international break dwelling on a horrible 3-0 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle, Partick Thistle returned to Ladbrokes Premiership action with another trip to the capital to take on Hibernian. The Jags came into the game stuck in a seven game winless run and with their hosts on good form, they faced a tough test to turn that form around.
Alan Archibald made five alterations to the side he fielded at Tynecastle two weeks ago. Tomas Cerny retained his place in goals behind a much changed defence. The Jags reverted to a five-at-the-back following a string of games with a four-man backline. Adam Barton came in for Chris Erskine, facilitating the change in formation with the number 13 sitting between Baily Cargill and Daniel Devine. Paul McGinn replaced Callum Booth with Christie Elliott moving across the pitch to play at left wing-back. Martin Woods dropped to the bench with Andrew McCarthy replacing him alongside Abdul Osman. Ryan Edwards came in for Steven Lawless behind the strikers with Miles Storey and Conor Sammon leading the line with the latter coming in for Kris Doolan.
The first chance of the match fell Thistle’s way in the third minute although it may have come to the wrong man. A deep free kick was partially cleared by the Hibs defence, however, it came to Daniel Devine on the edge of the box. The Northern-Irish defender curled an effort on goal but he couldn’t keep it on target, striking over the bar from 25 yards.
The next big chance of the match didn’t come until the 24th minute after the opening 20 minutes of the match had been dominated by the visiting team. The opportunity came for Hibs and it came for a Scott Allan free kick. The ex-Dundee loanee swung the ball in looking for Efe Ambrose and almost found his target. The ball evaded the Thistle defenders and skipped through. Ambrose reached out a leg and was inches away from surely finding the game’s opener but he failed to make contact and the ball bounced into Tomas Cerny’s arms.
Hibs carved out another chance as Dylan McGeouch went close on 33 minutes. The attack started with Baily Cargill losing out around the half-way line with the hosts pushing forward from there. The ball was played square from the right wing intended for Scott Allan but actually went behind the number 23, coming into the path of McGeouch who made a late run from the midfield. The number ten then bent a shot towards goal which forced Tomas Cerny into a terrific save as the ‘keeper denied Hibs the deadlock-breaking goal.
Unfortunately, the save Cerny made injured him on the landing which forced him to be substituted off. The Czech ‘stopper was replaced by Ryan Scully who came on to make his first appearance since September of last year.
There would be no further chances in the first half for either side and the teams went into the interval at 0-0. The Jags had controlled the first 20 minutes with some excellent passing and plenty of fight but Hibs had come back into the game towards the tail end of the first half. Dylan McGeouch’s curled effort was easily the match’s best chance in the opening period but Tomas Cerny’ last action of the game was an important one as he stopped his side from falling behind.
The first notable action of the second period, which Hibernian started well, was Daniel Devine picking up a booking for stopping the hosts from taking a free kick on 55 minutes.
Two minutes after that, Thistle had a massive chance to take the lead. Miles Storey robbed a Hibs man of the ball on the left wing and slotted a low cross into the box. He found Conor Sammon and the striker took a shot on goal from a difficult angle. Cammy Bell came out though and spread himself well, saving the shot before the ball was turned behind for a corner.
Thistle then had another chance on 69 minutes which did find the net, although it was ruled out by the linesman. Ryan Edwards whipped in a right-footed corner which found the head of Baily Cargill who nodded goalward with power. His effort wriggled past Bell and over the line with the defender seemingly scoring his first goal in the Jags’ colours. However, the linesman’s flag went up extremely late and the goal was chalked off because Miles Storey, who was stood in an offside position, was adjudged to have been blocking Cammy Bell’s line of vision. The decision was protested by the Thistle players but the referee trusted his assistant, ruling out the goal.
Less than a minute later, the home side went up the other end and scored, catching Thistle out with quick movement and clinical finishing. Hibs exploited the space on the Thistle left and swiftly netted the opener. After some good play, a low ball came in from the hosts’ right wing, finding Jamie McLaren who made no mistake from close range to give his side the lead in what was a desperately disappointing 60 seconds for the travelling Thistle contingent.
That disappointment was compounded five minutes later when the Hibees grabbed a second. A Scott Allan corner came in as an out-swinger finding Paul Hanlon. The number four then looped an inch-perfect header over Ryan Scully and into the net. The goal took the points further out of the Jags’ grasp, acting as a real sucker punch minutes after the visitors thought they had taken the lead.
Alan Archibald made two changes following the goal to try to bring his side back into the game. Andrew McCarthy was replaced by Blair Spittal while Miles Storey came off for Kris Doolan.
Any faint chances of a comeback were ended in the 85th minute when Daniel Devine was sent off for a second bookable offence. A clumsy challenge by the number 15 earned him another booking which will see him miss Thistle’s next game, against Ross County.
No more chances came for either side and the game ended 2-0. A match that had started extremely brightly for the away side all went downhill from their disallowed goal. Nevertheless, there were many more positives to take from this game than there were two weeks prior against Hearts.
The Jags next fixture comes on Tuesday as they face bottom of the table Ross County in a vital game in this season’s relegation battle. Kick-off is 19:45 from the Global Energy Stadium.
THISTLE TEAM: Cerny (Scully, 37′), Cargill, Osman, Barton, Elliott, Devine, McGinn, Sammon, Edwards, McCarthy (Spittal, 76′), Storey (Doolan, 79′).
UNUSED SUBS (PTH): Booth, Erskine, Lawless, Woods.
HIBERNIAN TEAM: Bell, Hanlon, Bartley (Whittaker, 65′), McGeouch, Stevenson, Boyle, MacLearen (Shaw, 77′), Kamberi, Allan (Swanson, 90′), McGregor Ambrose.
UNUSED SUBS (HIB): Dabrowski, Slivka, Murray, Porteous.
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.
Partick Thistle travelled to Easter Road to take on Hibernian this afternoon following seven winless games which have seen the Jags drop into 11th spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership. The Maryhill men came into their meeting with the Hibees having lost 3-0 in the capital to Hearts prior to last weekend’s international break and the result ended up being much the same today. A positive opening hour for the visitors had at least a point looking achievable but two quick-fire goals from Jamie McLaren and Paul Hanlon saw Neil Lennon’s Hibs take the victory. The result was compounded for Thistle when Daniel Devine picked up a second yellow in the 85th minute, ruling him out of Tuesday’s trip to Ross County. Despite the disappointing final 20 minutes, the performance had been a much improved one and showed that Thistle still had the fight in them for the relegation battle ahead. Jags boss, Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk after the game.
Alan started by commenting on the game’s most controversial moment. Less than a minute before the Hibernian opener, Thistle had a goal ruled out for offside. Baily Cargill headed a Ryan Edwards corner towards goal with Cammy Bell getting something to it, however, he couldn’t stop it as it wriggled past him. Then a number of bodies went for the ball although the ball crossed the line before any of them got to it. Nevertheless, the linesman spotted an offside and raised his flag chalking off the goal to the away side’s dismay.
“I’ve just watched it back and it’s difficult to tell exactly what’s happened. Baily meets the ball brilliantly and does well to get it on target but it seems that the offside was given because Miles Storey was standing near the goalkeeper. I didn’t think Miles was affecting play; the ‘keeper tries to save it and doesn’t quite stop it so from my perspective, the goal should have stood. I didn’t waste my time chapping on the officials’ door though.”
Despite his anger at that call, Archie was equally disappointed with how his team switched off after the disallowed effort as Hibs went up the other end and scored almost immediately.
“I understand that the players might have been unhappy but once those decisions go against you, it’s important you regain focus and don’t let it affect you. We didn’t do that and, in the end, it cost us the opening goal. Our defending has been very poor this year but I felt we’d done well up until the opener where we let ourselves down, in honesty.”
Although the gaffer felt his players could have done better in the final 20 minutes, he was very pleased to see a reaction from his players following a dreadful performance at Tynecastle last time out.
“We contained Hibs for long periods of the game while also creating some chances of our own. We denied them too many real chances from open play and you could see that there was fight in the players. We used the ball well and could have had a goal or two on another day. We didn’t get any points but hopefully we’ve got a bit of confidence back among the lads.”
Archie then touched on Tuesday’s vital clash with bottom of the league Ross County. A win for the Jags would open up a six point gap between them and the foot of the table, however, a win for the Staggies would draw them level on points with the Maryhill men. The game represents one of the biggest of the season so far and the gaffer is keen to ensure that all of his players understand the match’s importance.
“There’s so much at stake in midweek and that can work both ways. Sometimes players become shy in such a big game but sometimes they come out with the fight and passion that you need in a relegation battle. We’ll make sure the players understand the importance of it but we also don’t want to scare them. They need to be able to express themselves if they’re going to play their best but today’s performance was a step in the right direction that we needed.”
As Alan mentioned his side’s next game comes in just three days’ time as the Jags travel North to take on Ross County at the Global Energy Arena. Kick-off is 19:45 from Dingwall.
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Ryan Scully. 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.
For a full list of all the great content you can access from just £5.99 per month as a Jagzone member, click here.
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 31 March, 2018
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
Easter Road, Edinburgh
A really good first hour from Thistle was undone in 5 minutes today as a quick fire Hibs double earned the home side all three points. Plenty of positives for Archibald but ultimately it’s points his side needs now as we head into a massive game against Ross County on Tuesday night. With a dubious looking offside goal things could have been so different but the result was only going one way, especially when Devine received his marching orders. Things finish here at Easter Road 2-0 to Hibs.A really good first hour from Thistle was undone in 5 minutes today as a quick fire Hibs double earned the home side all three points. Plenty of positives for Archibald but ultimately it’s points his side needs now as we head into a massive game against Ross County on Tuesday night. With a dubious looking offside goal things could have been so different but the result was only going one way, especially when Devine received his marching orders. Things finish here at Easter Road 2-0 to Hibs.
Another strong shot well held by Scully.
A strong Hibs shot is well held by Scully.
A minimum of three minutes injury time to be played here.
Jagzone man of the match, sponsored by Fierce Digital, goes to Adam Barton.
And two yellows make a red. A clumsy challenge earns Devine his second yellow of the game.
More good defending from Cargill as he snuffs out a dangerous looking ball from Ambrose.
Corner comes in and Hanlon meets it. His header loops over Scully and finds the back of the net. 2-0
Corner comes in and looks dangerous as Scully missed it. Eventually cleared.
Good defending from Cargill as he deflects a Boyle shot wide for a corner.
A quick chance for the Jags to equalise but it is defended well.
And what about that for a sucker punch. Hibs go straight down the other end a score. Ball across from the right for McGeouch to slot home from inside the box.
Edwards puts a great ball in, the keeper doesn't deal with it and Devine pokes in from less than a yard out. Delirium in the Jags support only for it to be ruled off by the linesman.
Good ball from Osman forces Ambrose to put it out for a corner.
McCarthy does really well to win the ball and play it to Storey but his cross can't find Sammon in the box.
Hibs have the ball in the net but the ref's whistle blew long before for a foul.
Sammon does well to take the ball off Bartley and shows great vision to get it across to Storey who, unfortunately, blazes his shot.
Hibs look set to open the scoring as MacLaren breaks into the box and shoots. Scully gets a hand to it and Barton coolly clears the ball.
Decent delivery from Edwards but it comes to nothing in the end.
What a chance for Thistle. Miles robs the ball and breaks on the left before playing a ball into Sammon. Sammon has the goal in his sights but Bell makes a goosave and it is cleared for a corner.
Excellent defending from Elliott sees the ball out for a goal kick.
Devine takes a booking to stop a quick Hibs free kick following a soft foul given against him.
Storey whips a ball in but it's defended well by Hibs.
Unlike Cerny in the first half, Bell looks fit to continue. and we'll restart with a Jags throw.
McCarthy does well on the edge of the box, getting the ball to Storey who wins the corner. It's a good one from Edwards nut Bell gets his fingertips to it to tip it away from goal. Hibs clear for a throw but Bell is down injured in the meantime and the medical team look concerned.
Hibs look to break but MacLaren is caught offside.
Hibs looking more dangerous this half. Barton deals with an initial break but the ball drops for a Hibs player who rifles it over the bar. As the shot is hit though Elliott slides in and a free kick is given wide on the right. It's whipped in but Elliott heads clear.
Edwards gets robbed of the ball in midfield and Hibs get a ball into the bix but Scully is there to claim calmly once again.
Good break from Hibs as Kamberi uses his pace down the right wing. His cross is easily snubbed out by Osman though and the jags successfully defend the resulting throw.
Free kick to Hibs from deep. Ball is drifted in but Scully claims confidently.
And Hibs get us underway for the second half with the match perfectly poised.
A more or less even half with Thistle having the better of the initial exchanges before Hibs came back into it as the half time whistle approached. Losing Cerny will be a blow but plenty of positives for the visitors to take from that first half display.
Edwards does well to get a ball into the box but it is snuffed out by Ambrose.
There will be two additional minutes added at the end of the first half.
Corner comes to nothing.
Barton was adjudged to have fouled and Hibs have a free kick from 35 yards out. It is lifted into the box, a Hibs player wins the first ball and Devine can only flick it out for a corner.
Great move by Thistle sees McCarthy advance through the centre of the park before playing it to Edwards. The Australian is unable to play Sammon in so hits it himself drawing a save from Bell in the Hibees goal.
Dangerous ball in from Edwards causes the Hibs defense difficulties but they do eventually deal with it. Had the keeper flapping though.
Free kick to Thistle wide left. Ryan Edwards takes it and the Jags end up winning a corner as a result.
Bartley gets booked for adopting an aggressive attitude towards Elliott. Handbags really but dealt with well by the referee.
On the plus side, Ryan Scully does have an unbeaten record in the league this season - long may it continue!
Ball comes in and there's a bit of chaos in the box but the ref blows for a Thistle free kick early.
Scully gets a great reception from the travelling Thistle support as he takes his place between the sticks and his first act will be to face a corner.
Great save from Tomas Cerny as McGeouch hits a vicious strike from the edge of the box. The Jags number one is down now though and looks hurt. And yes, he's going to have to come off. Looks like that outstanding save will be his last act in this game.
McGinn booked for a late challenge 40 yards out. The resulting free kick goes straight to Cerny though.
Chance for Hibs as a free kick from deep evades everyone in the Thistle box and is eventually gathered by a grateful Tomas Cerny. Could have been dangerous - still 0-0 though.
Elliott again getting the ball into the box but this one was too close to the keeper. Jags definitely had the better of it so far though.
Miles Storey gets a shot away from just inside the box but McCarthy is adjudged to have fouled his man in the build up. Some good stuff from Thistle so far though.
Thistle defend the initial free kick well.
Hibs win a free kick to the right of the Jags box. A bit harsh perhaps but Thistle have some defending to do now.
An excellent ball into the box from Elliott earns Thistle another corner. Edwards to take this time but it's not great and is cleared.
Some decent build up play around the box wins the Jags a free kick. McCarthy takes it but the ref blows up for a free kick almost immediately.
Decent Hibs ball into the box and although Kamberi wins the initial header, Cerny claims comfortably.
First shot of the game comes for Thistle but it probably didn't fall to who Archibald would have wanted it to as Danny Devine curls a strike comfortably over the bar. It all came from a deep free kick and some good play from the Jags.
Sammon does well to play Storey through mid-way inside the Hibs half but he just can't get it under control and the ball is cleared for a throw.
A promising Hibs attack is well snuffed out by Daniel Devine. Good defending.
Conor Sammon gets us under way here at a bitterly cold Easter Road.
It's a cold Easter Road as Thistle return to action with a Ladbrokes Premiership fixture against Hibernian.
Manager Alan Archibald makes FIVE changes to the side which went down at Tynecastle Park against Hearts with the side reverting to a 3-5-2 formation. Out go Callum Booth, Martin Woods, Kris Doolan, Chris Erskine and Steven Lawless with Paul McGinn, Andrew McCarthy, Conor Sammon, Adam Barton and Ryan Edwards all moving into the starting line up.
We have full audio coverage on #JagZone this afternoon as Thistle look to pick up three valuable points ahead of a trip to Dingwall on Tuesday night.