Sat 31 October, 2015
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
Firhill Stadium, Glasgow.
Juanma Delgado 37′
Osman Sow 51′
Juanma Delgado 63′
Osman Sow 86′ (pen)
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Sat 31 October, 2015. Kick Off: - 15:00
Firhill Stadium, Glasgow.
Despite not securing all three points last week against Accies Alan Archibald insisted that the mood was still positive in the Jags camp as he spoke to ptfc.co.uk amid final preparations for Saturday’s match against Hearts.
“It was obviously disappointing not to take all three points when we were one goal up but the important thing is that we didn’t lose. Our run of results in the last three games has got us back in amongst the pack but that is all it has done and we need to remain focussed to ensure that the run continues.”
Thistle fans watched on anxiously last week as Tomas Cerny left the field with an injury. Having been awaiting further assessment from the Thistle medical staff, Archibald was today in a better position to give us an update.
“Tomas is still in a protective boot and we are looking at somewhere between four and six weeks that he is going to be out. Obviously it is a big blow as he has been one of our most consistent performers this season. He’ll come out of the boot on Monday so we’ll have another look at him then.
“It is a blow but it gives an opportunity to young Ryan Scully. Ryan played a lot of football last season on loan at Dunfermline and I’ve no doubt he is ready to make the step up. He’s one of the most consistent performers in training and this is a big opportunity for him to prove his quality.
“We’re in a strong position when it comes to keepers this season as we have Paul Gallacher to come on to the bench which also gives Ryan competition and keeps him on his toes.”
Seven points from a possible nine has seen Thistle leapfrog Dundee United and lift themselves off the bottom of the table. Archie is only too aware of how big a difference a few wins can make to a side’s league position.
“Undoubtedly things can change very quickly in this league and, with the fixtures coming up, everyone will play everyone in that bottom group. We’ve had a terrible start but teams like Killie show just how quickly a side can move up the table after a good run. A couple of wins now and you can start to see some real movement in the table. For now though we’re just concentrating on our game against Hearts on Saturday and making sure we get a positive result come full time.”
When Thistle played Hearts at Tynecastle earlier in the season it was one of the most disappointing outings for the team in red and yellow. Alan is certain that things will be different this time around.
“We went into that game on a poor run and Hearts were absolutely flying. We’re going into this fixture in a much better place and in much more confident mood. We will certainly be looking for a better performance tomorrow and it’s really important that we show exactly what we can do, especially at home.”
With a couple of exceptions he Thistle gaffer has a full squad to choose from.
“Our team is looking strong this week and, apart from Tomas Cerny and Christie Elliott we have a full complement available. This time last year we were really struggling with injuries so to have such a strong choice really does make a huge difference.”
Thistle looked to extend their unbeaten run to four games with the visit of Hearts. The Edinburgh side had the incentive of moving into second position in the league so Alan Archibald’s side knew they would be in for a tough afternoon.
Thistle made two changes to the side which had drawn with Hamilton Accies last weekend. Tomas Cerny, injured during the first half of that draw, missed out allowing a first Thistle league start for Ryan Scully since March 2012. Captain Abdul Osman returned to the heart of the Thistle midfield at the expense of Ryan Edwards who dropped out of the squad completely.
Hearts started the game the stronger side and Paterson showed the first sign of intent, drilling a low free kick wide of Scully’s goal. Hearts were quick to take advantage of loose play from Thistle and after a slack pass, Djoum saw a shot blocked by Liam Lindsay before Swanson fired the rebound wide of the post.
Thistle’s best efforts at carving open the Hearts defence were coming from set pieces and Bannigan’s corner deliveries were causing the Edinburgh side all sorts of problems. Amoo was having an enjoyable time down the right hand side of Thistle’s attack and when he laid the ball off to Dumbuya, the full backs cross found Bannigan at the back post, but his snap shot was narrowly wide of Alexander’s goal.
Thistle continued to press, looking for the first goal in the game and when Booth’s cross was deflected behind for a corner, it presented Bannigan with another opportunity to deliver a killer delivery into the box. After a knockdown, the ball fell to Amoo who fires a goalbound shot, which struck the heel of McGhee, more through uck than decision, and out for a second corner.
There was to be a goal before the halftime break and it was the visitors who got it. Swanson swung in a free kick wide of the Thistle penalty box which Juanma headed goalwards. Scully palmed the ball away from goal, but Osman Sow reacted quickest. He smashed a low ball back into the six yard box for Juanma to bundle home from close range to give Hearts the lead.
Thistle came out for the second half, looking to get back into the game but soon fell further behind when Osman Sow was given a couple of chances inside the box and he dispatched a low effort into the far corner of the net.
Hearts were comfortable in the lead and knocking the ball about with the confidence of being higher up in the table. Callum Paterson tested Ryan Scully from 25 yards before Hearts managed to secure their killer third goal.
Djoum got the better of Thistle’s defence and Lindsay hauled down the striker inside the box, and was lucky to see only yellow. Juanma, who missed a penalty against Thistle at Tynecastle, sent Scully the wrong way and his penalty rolled into the back of the net.
Hearts were in complete control and despite Thistle having a significant amount of the ball, they were never in serious danger of troubling the Hearts rearguard, indeed it was the Edinburgh side who added a fourth goal to the game.
Osman Sow, who was marginally onside, was slipped clean through on goal, before colliding with Scully inside the box. Referee, Steven McLean was left with no choice but to send off the Jags keeper. With Thistle having used up all three subs it was left to Ryan Stevenson to don the gloves but, despite getting a strong hand on the ball, he was unable to keep Osman Sow’s effort out of the net.
What had been a promising first half, with an evenly contested match, turned into a Halloween horror show after the break as Hearts showed their clinical side in front of goal, punishing Thistle at every turn. Alan Archibald will look for vast improvement in next week’s trip to Dundee; a fixture which will see a fourth different Thistle player playing as a goalkeeper.
It was a disappointed and angry Alan Archibald who spoke toptfc.co.uk after tonight’s 4-0 home defeat to Hearts. After a promising first half, Archie made his feelings on the second half performance clear.
“I thought we were very good in the first half and we matchedthem across the pitch. I don’t really think either team looked like scoring in the first 45 and it was a sucker punch to lose that goal from the set piece so close to half time.
“At half time we really just wanted more of the same. We told them to get the ball out to the wide areas and let David Amoo run at their defence as I thought he looked really dangerous. As soon as they scored the second though it was like the wind was taken right out of our sails and that was probably the most disappointing thing.
“The second half wasn’t good enough and the performance in the two halves could not have been more different. We’ll take it back to basics on Monday and make sure we do everything wecan to eradicate the mistakes we saw today in time for Dundee on Saturday.”
Things went from bad to worse in towards the end of the goal as Ryan Scully conceded a penalty and saw red for bringing down Osman Sow in the Jags box.
“I don’t think it was a challenge Scully had to make but he is just trying to make up for the mistakes of the guys in front of him. He’s still a young lad and he was maybe a bit too eager but I was more disappointed in how the defence dealt with the situation than anything else.
”Ryan’s dismissal combined with Tomas Cerny’s injury means that Archibald is set to turn to goalkeeper coach and former Scotland international, Paul Gallacher. Although Gallacher hasn’t made an appearance this season it is not something the manager is overly concerned with.
“Gal is a model professional, he trains every day with us and keeps himself very fit so I’ve no doubt he will come in and do the job for us.”
