Sat 13 July, 2019
Betfred Cup 
The Energy Check Stadium at FirhillBetfred Cup
Sat 13 July, 2019. Kick Off: - 15:00
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Admission Prices:
Adults – £12
Concessions* – £6
*A concession is qualified as a person under 18, over 65 or a student with a valid matriculation card.
After a lot of hard work over pre-season, it’s finally time to get back into the competitive games for Partick Thistle. This Saturday, the Jags take on Airdrieonians at the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill in the first of four Betfred Cup Group F ties which will take place this month. Clyde, Queen’s Park and Hamilton Accies are the three other sides in the Jags’ group with cup progression the reward for all group winners and the four best runners up from the eight total groups. This season, for the first time since the re-introduction of the group stage format in 2016, Thistle will start their ties with a home fixture and ptfc.co.uk caught up with Jags gaffer, Gary Caldwell, ahead of the weekend’s match:
“We’re all really looking forward to getting started for the new season. A lot of work has gone into our preparations from everyone involved and now we just want to play. We feel like we’re in a good place to begin these Betfred Cup games and hopefully progress to the next round.”
In Airdrieonians, Thistle face a big test on opening day with the Diamonds expected to be one of the better sides in League 1 this season.
“It’s not an easy game by any means. Airdrieonians have done a lot of business over the summer and have made some good additions to their squad. We need to make sure that we are locked in and motivated but I have no doubts that the squad will be.”
Caldwell completed the signing of Rangers midfielder, Cammy Palmer, on loan until January this Wednesday and the gaffer is hopeful the 19-year-old will have a lot to offer in his time in Maryhill.
“Cammy a bit of a different midfielder to what we had already. He’s a great tackler and loves to win the ball back. Also, he was the captain of Rangers reserves last year as they won the title so he’s a player with maturity beyond this years.
“He’d been playing with reserves at Rangers in pre-season and they’ve played a handful of friendlies so he’s match sharp and ready to play straight away too which is great.”
The manager then went on to talk a bit more about his general transfer plans for the rest of the summer window.
“Cammy joining means there’s one less gap to fill but there’s still work to be done in a couple of different areas. We’ve got a good starting XI in place but, at the moment, we don’t have the depth that we want in some positions so we’ll continue looking at ways to strengthen the squad.”
Gary also gave us an update on the injury front ahead of Saturday’s match.
“Craig Slater will miss out. He’s still in the recovery phase after his surgery earlier in the summer. Gary Harkins has been carrying an ankle knock and he’ll get an injection for that which we’re hoping will help it settle a bit. Apart from that we have no big injury problems at the moment.”
A more in-depth video interview with Thistle manager, Gary Caldwell, is available to watch on JagZone now as well interviews with Stuart Bannigan and Joe Cardle.
Jagzone members will also be able to watch extended highlights of the game.
Can’t make it to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill? Jagzone members can listen to live audio commentary of the match. JagZoneLIVE begins at 2:45pm tomorrow.
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 © 2019. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
The Betfred Cup Group F kicked off earlier today for Partick Thistle as the Jags hosted Airdrieonians at the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill. A tightly contested match, it took until the 66th minute for the deadlock to be broken when James Penrice’s corner deflected into the net off Diamonds defender, Sean Crighton. Five Thistle players made their debuts including Thistle Weir Academy graduate, Evan Galasso, who came on as a second half substitute for Lewis Mansell.
The win sits the Maryhill men at the top of their group ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Queen’s Park. Jags boss, Gary Caldwell, spoke to ptfc.co.uk following the final whistle and began by summarising his feelings after game one of the 19/20 season.
“I’m just glad we got the win. One of the big things we’ve spoken about in pre-season has been that winning mentality and a desire to keep pushing to win games. I thought, though, we weren’t perfect by any means today but we were the team on the front foot.
“In the second half, we upped the tempo a little bit and created a lot more than we did in the first half. Their goalkeeper made some great saves and we were knocking at the door. When we did get that goal, I thought we were comfortable.”
The manager paid tribute to Tam O’Ware who made his return from injury today after 10 months out.
“Tam’s been excellent since I’ve been at the club with his attitude and the way he is around the dressing room but to get him on the pitch is brilliant. He showed his leadership qualities, his ability on the ball and it’s great to have him back playing well.”
Gary gave us some insight into what he’s hoping new signing, Alex Jones, will bring to the team.
“He adds more quality and competition to the top of the pitch. We needed to strengthen the striking options and Alex will be a great addition. I met him last week and he’s also the right type of character to add to the dressing room.
“I’d seen him playing while I was down in England and when he became available we looked into signing him. Gerry’s worked very hard to make it happen as he was sought after by a few English clubs so to be able to bring him to the club is great news.”
The gaffer also said that he’s hoping to get more business done in the near future.
“We’re hoping to get more deals done soon. We’re in talks with a couple of players at the minute and while they’re not ones that will happen this weekend, we’re hopeful that we can complete another couple of deals next week.”
A more in depth video interview with Gary Caldwell will be available shortly to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Ryan Williamson and Tam O’Ware – log in now to see them.
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 © 2019. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk
Thistle make a winning start to the season with a deserved 1-0 win following a much improved second half showing.
Airdrie, especiually in the first half, posed Thistle a number of problems and nearloy snatched an equaliser right at the death.
Airdrie nearly snatch an equaliser as Carrick's header slips wide of the Sneddon's right hand post with the keeper struggling.
A lovely pass from galasso picks out Miller but the flag goes up for offside.
Eckersley's shot dips over the Thistle crossbar.
Man of the Match: Tam O'Ware
Hutton makes an easy save from Galasso's shot.
Thistle only partially clear the free kick but when the ball is returned into the box it goes out for a goal kick.
Airdrie have a free kick on the left hand side and a chance to get the ball into thje box.
Robson replaces Cardle.
Galasso is unlucky not to collect a Miller through ball, Hutton getting there just a split second ahead of the young striker.
Cardle's corner goes low to the front post and Miller is unlucky not to see his flick end up in the back of the net.
Galasso has a great chance to net a debut goal but his header from Cardle's cross slips wide of goal.
O'Reilly gets the ball back following his corner and this time his cross clips the top of the Thistle bar on the way over.
Thistle miss a good chance to double the lead. Cardle spots Penrice's run to his left byt Penrice can't keep the shot down and it goes over the bar.
Evan Galasso comes on to replace Lewis Mansell and make his Thistle debut.
A looping header from Saunders clears the Airdrie crossbar.
Penrice's corner produces a goal as O'Ware bundles the ball home.
Bannigan's shot after a Penrice corner is turned round the post for another Thistle corner.
It's a poor corner from Cardle and Airdrie clear.
Cardle thumps in a shot that Hutton does well to turn over the bar.
Cardle retains possession of the ball until he finds room for a shot and his effort from the edge of the box is no more than a foot wide of Hutton's right hand post. It's been better from Thistle since the break.
Palmer has made a difference since his introduction at the break and he gets the ball up to the feet of Miller who makes a mess of his shot and sends the ball high over the bar.
Hutton is again in action and produces another excellent stop this time denying Palmer a debut goal.
McGinty is only denied a superb goal by Hutton who tips his curling effort over the bar.
Wlliamson lifts a pass over the Airdrie defence that is gathered by Miller who brings out a save from Hutton.
McGinty powers forward before firing in a shot that hutton needs to stretch to save.
A Miller shot goes wide of the Airdrie goal.
Cammy Palmer comes on for Shea Gordon.
It's goalless at the interval with Airdrie looking the more dangerous of the two sides particuarly when coming down the Thistle left hand side.
It's Thistle though that came the closest to finding a first half goal when Hutton did well to parry away an early shot from Penrice.
Cardle's corner drifts towards the back post where the ball bounces off McGinty and goes behind for a goal kick.
Hu ttton needs two attempts to grab hold of a Cardle shot. Cardle has been Thistle's biggest threat so far.
Airdrie nearly catch Thlstle with a swift counter attack but Carrick can't keep his shot down although he does appeal for a corner as the ball goes over the bar.
Cardle works a little space for himself at the edge of the Airdrie box but although he manages to get a shot on target its an easy save for Hutton.
A promising Airdrie move down the right, where they are getting a lot of joy, is halted by a raised flag for offside.
Airdrie appeal for handball as Roy's corner bobs around the Thistle box before being hacked clear.
O'Ware clears just as Airdrie look to open up the Thistle defence.
Mansell does well to get the ball over from near the corner flag. Gordon gets a touch before Miller sends a shot wide.
Gordon is again involved for Thistle this time trying to curl and shot from the right hand side of the box into the far corner. The ball goes a yard or so wide though.
Cardle is able to lay the ball back into the path of Gordon. Gordon's shot strikes a defender taking all the pace off it leaving Hutton an easy save to make.
Cardle takes the free kick himself and curls the ball over the wall and high over the crossbar.
Cardle has his heels clipped and Thistle have a free kick a few yards outside the box and left of centre.
Thistle are under pressure down the right and saunders needs to come across and clear.
Airdrie have a free kick near the Thistle corner flag. The free kick finds Carrick unmarked at the back post and Thistle are fortunate that he makes a hash of his header.
Cardle's corner is a good one but it's well defended and headed clear for a Thistle throw on the other side.
Mansell doesn't give up on an O'Ware pass and earns Thistle a corner.
A clever pass from Cardle just fails to match the forward run from Gordon.
A promising run from Thomson gives him a glimpse of the Thistle goal but there is no power in his shot and Sneddon completes an easy save.
Cardle gets the chance of a shot at goal but the ball hits the leg of a defender.
O'Ware's crossfield pass catches Penrice in an offside position.
Thistle nearly take an early lead as Hutton claws away a fierce drive from Penrice.
Saunders has to make an important touch as Eckersley's corner curls towards the back post.
The season is underway. Airdrie kick the game off and Thistle will be shooting towards the city end in the first half.
The new season starts with the visit of Airdrie in the Betfred Cup.
It's traditional for the first team selection of the season to show a large number oif players makkikng their debuts but Gary Caldwell's starting eleven includes just two debuts who make their Thistle debut this afternoon, Ryan Williamson and Kenny Miller.
Shea Gordon and Lewis Mansell were on loan at Firhill last season and they make their first apprearances as fully fledged Jags this afternoon.
Stuart Bannigan captains a Thistle side that includes Tam O'Ware for the first time since last August.
There are a few more 'new' faces on the bench. Scott Fox regturns as sub keeper and new signings Tommy Robson and Cammy Palmer are joined by Callum wilson, Mouhammed Niang, Evan Galasso and Bradley Renfrew.