Fri 11 August, 2017
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
Firhill StadiumSPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Fri 11 August, 2017. Kick Off: - 19:45
Firhill Stadium
After a disappointing Ladbrokes Premiership opener, away to Hibs last Saturday afternoon, the Jags now face Celtic in the league as the Hoops visit Firhill for a Friday night clash. Thistle boss Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of the meeting.
Archie is hoping that the excellent performance in Perth on Betfred Cup duty last Tuesday night will set his side in good stead for the challenge of Celtic this evening.
“I don’t know if any result can really prepare you for Celtic but it has filled the guys with confidence. I think, importantly, it let the squad put the memories of Saturday’s game behind them. It was a total reverse of that performance on Tuesday and the win puts us in the right mood for the game. We are under no illusions, though. We know that Tuesday’s win doesn’t count for anything when we step onto that pitch against Celtic. We saw the sort of depth they have on Tuesday when they made a lot of changes and still beat a Premiership side 5-0 so we know the difficulty of the opposition we face.”
Although Celtic went undefeated domestically last season and have been rampant in their two domestic games so far this season, the gaffer believes that if you go into the game without hope of getting something then there’s no point in turning up.
“You’ve got to go into every game hoping you can get a win. Me and the rest of the management staff set up a game plan to get the better of our opponents and we do our best to ensure the players can execute that plan. The players know that against the top teams we can get something if we’re clinical. You tend to get chances in most games but you can waste them against teams like Celtic.”
Archie was also optimistic about Kris Doolan’s chances of making it for the game.
“He’s looking better. He trained yesterday and seems to have recovered so hopefully he’s recovered and can play a part. If he has any discomfort between now and the game, then we’ll probably rest him but as it stands we reckon he’ll be ready.”
Despite the probable return of Kris Doolan to the matchday squad, Alan is faced with a tough choice as 20-year old striker, Kevin Nisbet, put in a brilliant display against St. Johnstone – winning a penalty and setting up Thistle’s third goal – acting as a great audition for a starting spot tonight.
“It gives us more options. On Tuesday, we were forced to go with Kevin due to injuries but he’s now proved that he can perform competently against Premiership opposition and that makes injuries slightly less worrying for me. However, if Dools is fit it’s a huge boost for the team and in terms of morale, it helps as everyone knows how important Kris is to the team.”
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.
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Alan has committed, will you join him? 2017/18 season tickets are still 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.
After the disappointment of Partick Thistle’s 3-1 opening day loss to Hibs, a 3-0 win in the cup against St. Johnstone was just what the doctor ordered for the Jags heading into their toughest challenge of the new competitive season, a visit from the undefeated treble-winners, Celtic. Goals from Steven Lawless, Ryan Edwards and Chris Erskine gave Thistle the perfect confidence booster heading into their clash with the Champions.
The Maryhill men had a few injury problems during the week. Daniel Devine picked up a knock to his knee during the aforementioned cup win at McDiarmid Park which ruled him out of tonight’s game. Abdul Osman had a problem with his shoulder that meant the Jags’ skipper would also miss out. More positively, Kris Doolan made a return to the side, leading the line as a sole striker after missing Thistle’s midweek win with a hamstring issue. Tomas Cerny started in goals behind a back-four of Christie Elliott, Callum Booth, Niall Keown and Firhill-debutant, Jordan Turnbull who maintained his place in the team after a sparkling debut in Perth. At the base of the midfield, Stuart Bannigan and Adam Barton started in the absence of Abdul Osman. Steven Lawless started on the right wing and Ryan Edwards filled the number ten role while Conor Sammon played on the left having signed on loan earlier in the day, all of those three played in behind the returning Doolan.
Thistle’s bench was looking as strong as it’s been this season with Ryan Scully, James Penrice, Milan Nitriansky, Andy McCarthy, Kevin Nisbet, midweek goalscorer Chris Erskine and Thistle’s second matchday signing, Miles Storey.
The hosts got the game underway but it was the travelling Hoops who would control the early goings and create an early chance in the eight minute. Scott Sinclair used his pace to reach the by-line on Celtic’s left and the Englishman cut a ball back to James Forrest. Forrest controlled and shot on the turn. His attempt was on target but Tomas Cerny got down well to make the stop.
Just two minutes after Forrest’s first chance, he had another. Adam Barton slipped in the Jags’ midfield and Celtic number 21, Olivier Ntcham, nicked the ball from Barton. The Frenchman then slotted the ball to James Forrest who let the ball come across him before trying to pick out the far corner with his left foot. Fortunately for the home side, Forrest dragged the attempt well wide of the goal.
Celtic’s dominance continued in the first half but their next chance came from a free-kick in the 24th minute. Nir Bitton stood over the set piece, 30 yards from goal. He struck it over the wall and towards the top corner but Tomas Cerny was able to get across to deny the Israeli international and the ball eventually went out for a corner.
Unfortunately for the Jags, the resulting corner would bring the opener. Scott Sinclair’s corner was headed away by Jordan Turnbull but only as far as Olivier Ntcham. The ex-Manchester City man caught the ball on the volley striking it goal-wards. Cerny looked like he was going to save the effort but it took a slight deflection off Scott Brown on the way through which sent the ball past the Czech ’stopper.
The Celts’ came close to doubling their lead ten minutes later when Jozo Simunovic met Mikael Lustig’s cross. The Croatia-born centre-half rose highest to meet his teammates delivery and attempted to loop a header into the far corner. Unfortunately for Simunovic, his effort landed on the roof of the net.
The score stayed 1-0 at the interval with Thistle still in the game after a half of Hoops control. Despite a few decent chances, Brendan Rodgers’ side had failed to extend their lead past the single goal. With both teams boasting strong benches, there was certainly still plenty to play for at Firhill.
Any hopes of Thistle getting something from the game were almost obliterated five minutes into the second period. Steven Lawless carelessly gifted possession to Kieran Tierney and the Scottish international burst forward, into the Jags’ box. He had options to his right but tried the shot but his effort skipped wide of the far post.
Celtic were almost made to rue their missed opportunity two minutes later when Firhill marksman, Kris Doolan, was presented with a great chance. Christie Elliott cut in from the right and bent a left-footed cross into the six-yard box. The delivery found Doolan who headed on goal but he failed to really catch the header and, uncharacteristically, missed the target completely. Five minutes later Doolan was substituted off. The striker had trained just once this week and was replaced by Miles Storey, making his Thistle debut after signing on a two-year deal from Aberdeen earlier in the day. Chris Erskine also came on. He replaced Steven Lawless in the 64th minute.
After Thistle’s chance, Celtic were back on the hunt. Hoops’ substitute Leigh Griffiths whipped in an inviting corner which was met by Jozo Simunovic. After going close in the first half, he this time found the target, however, Callum Booth was waiting on the line and the left-back cleared the danger.
With ten minutes left of the regulation 90, Celtic had yet another opportunity to double the deficit, this time through substitute, Tom Rogic. The Bhoys broke quickly though James Forrest and the number 49 played a pass right to find Rogic. The Australian set himself to shoot and did so but his attempt found only the side-netting. Andrew McCarthy came on for Stuart Bannigan shortly following this chance.
Now, in injury time came the game’s biggest talking point. Some miscommunication between Craig Gordon and Nir Bitton lead to the number six taking the ball away from his ‘keeper’s grasp. This allowed Miles Storey to get his foot to the ball ahead of Bitton and the stand-in centre-half seemed to make contact with the ex-Swindon striker. Storey went down but Andrew Dallas turned away appeals as the Jags’ fans and players shouted for a spot kick.
The incident passed and the final whistle was blown with the game ending 1-0. It was an honourable defeat for the Jags but had they been awarded the penalty that they felt they should, it could have been more than a defeat for the Maryhill men.
Thistle now begin preparations for next week’s trip back to McDiarmid Park as the Jags attempt to replicate their cup success in the league. Kick-off is at 15:00 next Saturday in Perth.
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 had a tough start to the new Ladbrokes Premiership season with an away trip to Easter Road which they lost 3-1. However, an encouraging 3-0 midweek cup win at St. Johnstone had re-injected the early season enthusiasm into the Jags. Following their success in Perth, Thistle face the tough challenge of treble-winners, Celtic. Despite a spirited and dogged display, especially in the second half, the Maryhill side fell to a defeat. A single first half goal was enough for the Parkhead team as Olivier Ntcham’s deflected strike proved the difference. Jags boss, Alan Archibald spoke with ptfc.co.uk following the final whistle.
On a night when his side managed to keep Celtic out for much of the game, Archie was frustrated that the Hoops’ only goal came from a set piece.
“We lost a disappointing goal from a set play. I’d spoken a lot this week about not giving Celtic goals and making them work for what they got but when they score a goal like that it’s like gifting them a goal. It did take a deflection but we could have defended it better.”
One of the key moments of the game was a missed chance from Kris Doolan. The Jags forward was found by a Christie Elliott cross but he couldn’t find the net from close range with a header. However, with the no. 9 just returning from injury, the gaffer doesn’t blame Doolan for the miss.
“I’ve said it before, you get a chance in every game whether it’s clear cut or a half-chance. As long as we were in the game at 1-0 we knew we could still get something and that was our best chance. Unfortunately, Kris couldn’t take the chance but he’s bailed us out so many times before so we can’t blame him. In actual fact, he’s only trained one day this week so we’ll cut him some slack.”
Another key moment in the match was in injury time when Miles Storey was upended in the box by Nir Bitton. There were cries for a penalty from the Thistle fans and players alike but Andrew Dallas decided not to give anything, however, Archie feels his side were unlucky not to be awarded a spot kick.
“Anywhere else on the pitch and the foul is given. It’s a huge call at that point in the game but I still think he has to give it. We got a penalty at McDiarmid Park on Tuesday and I don’t think we’ll ever get two in two games. We’ve struggled to get two in two years!”
Archie and his squad now turn their attention to next Saturday’s clash with St. Johnstone at McDiarmid Park as they return to the scene of their 3-0 win in midweek. Kick-off is at 15:00 in Perth.
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Adam Barton and Christie Elliott. Log in now to see it as soon as it is available.
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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.
Alan has committed, will you join him? 2017/18 season tickets remain 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.
Claims for a penalty from the Thistle support as Storey goes down in the box but the referee is unmoved.
There will be three added minutes tonight.
The defender is booked for a challenge on Ryan Edwards near the half way line.
Celtic break and Forrest powers into the Thistle half before playing it right for Rogic. The Australian sets himself and shoots but his shot hits the side-netting.
Simunovic moves out of defence and shoots but his attempt is deflected behind for a corner.
Griffiths' corner is met by Simunovic who heads back across the goal. It's finding the corner but Booth headds off the line.
Rogic is played the ball 10 yards outside the Thistle box. He spins and unleashes a left-footed shot but he cuts across it and it goes wide.
Christie Elliott cuts in from the right and bends a corss into the six-yard box with his left foot. It finds Doolan but the stand-in skipper can't get over the ball and he heads over.
Steven Lawless gifts Tierney possession and the left back breaks into the box. He has options to his right but shoots. His effort skips wide of the far post.
Christie Elliott cuts in from the right and shoots from 30 yards with his left foot. Unfortuantely, the shot rises over the bar.
Celtic get the second half underway.
A quick turn leads to a shot on target from Hayes but his left-footed effort is saved comfortably.
Simunovic meets Lustig's cross from the left and tries to loop a header into the far corner but his attempt lands on the roof of the net.
A corner is headed clear and the ball falls to Ntcham. The Frenchman then smashes a powerful drive on goal and, through bodies, it beats Tomas Cerny.
A Nir Bitton free-kick looks destined for the top corner but Tomas Cerny makes a great save.
Ntcham receives the ball 30 yards out and shoots but he skews it well wide of the mark.
Adam Barton's slip allows Ntcham to steal the ball and slot Forrest through on goal. He tries a shot across goal from just inside the box but drags his effort wide of the far.
Scott Sinclair finds James Forrest in the box with a cutback. The number 49 turns and shoots but Tomas Cerny gets down well to save.
Celtic are dominating possession in the early goings with Thistle struggling to get a hold of the ball.
Thistle will get things underway here at Firhill this evening, With Kris Doolan taking kick-off.