Fri 4 March, 2022
cinch Championship 
Firhill Stadiumcinch Championship
Fri 4 March, 2022. Kick Off: - 19:45
Firhill Stadium
Match Information:
Ticketing Information:
Partick Thistle v Inverness CT – Friday 4th March 2022
Partick Thistle return to Firhill on Friday evening for a cinch Championship game against Inverness CT.
All supporters are strongly encouraged to pre-purchase their tickets ahead of matchday to avoid lengthy Firhill queues.
Ticket prices for this match are priced at:
Adults – £20
Concessions (Over 65s, students, disabled supporter including carer, 16-18 year olds) £15
Under 16 – £5
Purchasing before matchday
Ticket purchases before matchday (4th March) are available to buy through one of the methods below:
Matchday purchases
Tickets can be purchased on matchday through online sale. The Executive Offices will not be open on matchday.
Very limited provision will be made at the Jackie Husband ticket office for home supporters, without bank cards or online access, to use cash to purchase tickets for this game.
Away Supporters
Away fans can purchase their ticket for this league game through one of the two methods below:
Away supporter ticket prices for this match are priced at:
Adults – £20
Concessions (Over 65s, students, disabled supporter including carer, 16-18 year olds) £15
Under 16 – £5
Online ticket sales for Inverness fans will be available right up until kick-off.
There will be no provision available for physical in-person ticket sales for Inverness supporters on matchday.
The management team’s written previews and reactions are presented by The Jags Trust. You can keep up to date with the latest from The Jags Trust by visiting their website, www.jagstrust.com.
It’s Friday night football in Maryhill for Partick Thistle as Inverness Caledonian Thistle head to Glasgow in front of the BBC Scotland cameras looking for three cinch Championship points. Ian McCall’s side will be looking for their first victory of the season against Billy Dodds’ side having shared the spoils in agonising fashion a few weeks ago.
“It’s a game we’re all looking forward to. The players all love playing in front of the television cameras, it’s a chance to showcase themselves and the club to the watching public on Friday night.
“We’ve played Inverness three teams so far and haven’t beaten them yet. They battered us at Firhill earlier this season and we were lucky to get a draw in all honesty but I thought we were the better side against them in February and we both had a good 45 minutes when we faced off at the start of the season.”
It’s been a little under 48 hours since Thistle were in action at Gayfield against Arbroath taking a well merited point back to Glasgow.
“You’d obviously prefer to play Tuesday-Saturday but Friday-Tuesday is pretty much the same as Wednesday-Saturday so we’ve been emphasising recovery to all the players. We had a very light training session on Thursday and as a former player myself, I know how much I preferred playing games compared to training all week for a match.
“We just keep the boys ticking over and make sure they manage their loads right and we just get ready to go again. We finished the game on Tuesday really strongly, we were the best team in the second half so we’re looking to take that form into Friday night and use it as a chance to climb the table again.”
Having returned from Gayfield with a point earlier this week, Alan is looking to turn it into a good one by taking all three tomorrow night.
“We’re obviously disappointed to get a draw on Tuesday as we try to win every game but it is a tough place to go. We didn’t play anywhere near as well as we can in the first half but I thought in the second half we were far stronger. The manager made a couple of changes at half-time and that gave us a real foothold in the game.
“It’s a point that looks like a good point if we can get a victory on Friday night. Not many teams have won in Arbroath, I think Inverness might be the only team to do so, which shows how tough it is. We want to make Firhill a tough place as well and get back to winning ways after a couple of defeats.”
Finally, Alan summarised the team news for Friday night’s fixture.
“Scott Tiffoney came off early on Tuesday night and he’ll be a doubt for tomorrow night. Scott wanted to play against Arbroath on Tuesday night, he was really keen to get involved as he knew how big a game it was and felt he was fit enough to get through the game. He felt it incredibly early that he wasn’t able to continue and he knows his body better than anybody so we had to bring him off. Everyone else is fit and available for selection for the manager.”
Exclusive video interviews with Robbie Crawford and Thistle assistant manager Alan Archibald will be available for JagZone subscribers to watch today – log in to view.
JagZone subscribers will be able to tune in to live audio commentary for our clash with Inverness CT, starting at 7:15pm – click here to tune in.
We will be providing a pay-per-view option, priced at £12, for any supporter who wishes to watch our livestream of the match – click here for more info.
We’ll have extended highlights and a full game replay of the fixture on JagZone following the game.
Article Copyright © 2022. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
After climbing into fourth on Tuesday night with a draw against Arbroath, Partick Thistle had the chance to move up another place as Inverness visited Maryhill for some Friday night football.
The Jags came into the game without a win against Billy Dodds’ side in three attempts this season with the most recent meeting being a 3-3 draw at the Caledonian Stadium when the home side equalised in the 94th minute.
Ian McCall made four changes to the team which started against Arbroath in midweek with Tunji Akinola, Kyle Turner, Scott Tiffoney and Cammy Smith dropping out of the starting XI. Richard Foster and Juan Alegria were both given starts having come off the bench to good effect at half-time at Gayfield Park. Thistle’s other two substitutes from that game were also given places in the first XI as Robbie Crawford and Connor Murray took their place on either side of the Jags’ midfield.
The hosts had the better of the early goings and could have been in front in the 8th minute as Lewis Mayo went close to a second goal of the season. Connor Murray’s cross from the left flank skipped through to Kevin Holt in the Caley box and the 29-year-old laid it off for his central defensive partner. Mayo cleverly cut inside onto his left foot but fired his shot wide of the near post.
There was another big chance for the Maryhill men with 18 minutes on the clock as Juan Alegria came close to opening his Thistle account. A high ball over the Inverness defence by Richard Foster was controlled beautifully by the Colombian striker. He then tried to lift the ball over Cammy Mackay but could only find the roof of the net with his attempt.
Inverness had their first serious opportunity of the game in the 23rd minute as Austin Samuels found some space in the Thistle box. The number 24 played a one-two with Billy McKay which got him moving towards goal and after the ball deflected off Ciaran McKenna, the winger was able to unleash a shot. Fortunately for the home side his effort flashed narrowly wide of Jamie Sneddon’s goal and out for a goalkick.
That was only a brief moment of Inverness attacking though during a first half dominated by the Glaswegian Jags. With 10 minutes to go until half-time, Juan Alegria almost scored again with the woodwork denying him this time. A switch to the right wing from Ross Docherty was nodded down into the box by Ciaran McKenna and Alegria was on it like a flash ahead of Caley goalkeeper Mackay. He once again tried to lob the ‘stopper but saw his shot rebound off the post before being cleared.
The away side made a couple of changes at the break and came out for the second half looking reenergised so much so that they could have been level seven minutes after the restart. A Robbie Deas ball into the box wasn’t properly cleared allowing Aaron Doran to head it into the path of substitute Joe Hardy. The forward endeavoured to fire the ball low into the far corner of the goal but couldn’t beat Jamie Sneddon with his volleyed attempt.
Five minutes later Caley Thistle had another chance to go ahead as they caught their hosts on the counter-attack. A quickly taken Thistle free-kick was snuffed out by Inverness and a long ball into the Jags’ half got Joe Hardy moving again with Aaron Doran making a lung-bursting run forward to support him. After cutting past his man Hardy slotted a perfectly weighted pass through to Doran who looked to be clear through on goal, however, as he rocketed a shot towards goal Richard Foster got back and deflected it away for a corner kick.
As the second period rumbled on it was clear that neither side was settling for a draw in this one and there were half-chances for both sides as the minutes ticked on. Joe Hardy had another shot which bobbled just wide of Sneddon’s right post and Brian Graham had a somewhat mishit shot which made for a comfortable save in the end.
The openings then became a bit more dangerous as the game got towards the 80 minute mark. With just over 10 minutes to play Joe Hardy was involved again as he played the ball to Billy McKay who in turn fed it on to Shane Sutherland breaking infield from the left flank. Sutherland tried a first time shot but sent it well over the bar via a Thistle touch.
In the 82nd minute it was Ian McCall’s side threatening to break the deadlock as they worked the ball into the box from the right wing. It was an Alex Jakubiak cross which found Brian Graham and the Jags’ top scorer teed up Ross Docherty who after taking a touch could only fire a shot over the bar from 15 yards.
Just as it seemed the teams might have to settle for a point each, Kevin Holt popped up with a moment of magic to win for the Maryhill men. A Kyle Turner corner was fizzed into the box with Ross Docherty lined up to direct it towards goal, however, he missed his kick at the delivery. Thankfully for Thistle Kevin Holt was stationed behind Docherty and he made no mistake with his swing as he drove a low shot through Alex Jakubiak’s legs and into the back of the net.
It was a big goal in a big moment from Thistle’s number three and proved to be enough to win the game with Inverness unable to answer back in the remaining eight minutes including injury time. The victory moved the Jags above their opponents into the top three for the first time since matchday four.
The management team’s written previews and reactions are presented by The Jags Trust. You can keep up to date with the latest from The Jags Trust by visiting their website, www.jagstrust.com.
It was back to winning ways this evening for Partick Thistle as they secured a huge three points against Inverness to leapfrog the Caley Jags and move into third place in the cinch Championship table. The Maryhill men left it late too as Kevin Holt’s 86th minute goal proved to be the decider after a game with chances aplenty. Thistle boss Ian McCall spoke to ptfc.co.uk after the full-time whistle:
“It wasn’t a pretty game but that’s not what it’s about at this point in the season. I think we really dominated that first half and we have two or three chances that on another day we might have scored. Lewis Mayo had a decent one early on and then Juan has two including one that hits the post so we felt we could have been ahead by half-time.
“They got better after half-time and credit to them because they created a few good openings. There were some moments when it was a bit edgy but, to be fair, Jamie didn’t have too much to do. At the end of the day, it was all about getting those three points and we managed that.”
It was Thistle number three Kevin Holt who produced the winning moment and the manager said he was pleased for the defender after a couple of near things in recent games.
“He had one against Morton that he couldn’t quite turn in and then the one against Arbroath on Tuesday as well but he took his goal tonight so well. He’s someone who’s always a threat in there and over the season he’s done well for us in terms of goals.”
McCall made a few second half substitutes as he looked to swing the game in Thistle’s favour and he says he was pleased with the impact each of them made.
“You need guys to come off the bench and affect the game, especially in matches like this one. I brought Kyle Turner, Cammy Smith and Alex Jakubiak on with a long way to go and they all gave absolutely everything. Of course, it’s Kyle’s corner that gets us the goal which was a great bonus too.
“We then brought Steven Bell on for the last few minutes and it was great to see him back out on the pitch after a long injury lay-off. He wasn’t just on for the sake of it though, he was on to do a job and he did that well winning a couple of headers as we saw it out.”
Now the team look ahead to a Tuesday night clash with Queen of the South at Firhill next week and the gaffer knows that’ll be another tough one.
“We know we won’t get any easy games but this one in particular will be a real challenge. Willie Gibson’s turned things around a bit for them and considering the position they’re still in, they’ll give absolutely everything. We’ll do the same though and hopefully we can produce another big result.”
Further reaction from Thistle manager Ian McCall and Alex Jakubiak will be available to watch on JagZone tonight – log in to view.
We’ll have extended highlights and a full game replay of the fixture on JagZone later tonight.
Article Copyright © 2022. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Thistle grind out the win that takes them up to third in the league.
The goal comes late. They are just 6 minutes remaining when Kevin Holt slams home following a Turner corner.
Sneddon comes off his line to claim a high ball into the box.
Chalmers slices a shot wide of goal.
Mackay slips as he tries to shoot and the ball spins away from the Thistle goal and out for a goal kick.
Turner tries a shot from fully 30 yards out that is wide of MacKay's right hand post.
We've got Holt. Kevin Holt!
The deadlock is broken. Turner's low corner finds Holt and he slams the ball home. Not the prettiest of goals but nobody is caring too much.
That might have been the moment. Jakubiak does well to give the ball to Graham who sets up Docherty who makes a mess of his shot when presented with an excellent chance.
Broadfoot gets two stabs at a shot before he eventually nudges the ball wide of goal.
Docherty bundles McAlear to the ground and it is an Inverness free kick in from the corner flag.
Sutherland's shot doesn't look to take a deflection but it is a corner all the same
After Thistle enjoy the break of the ball Graham manages a shot on target but it's never likely to test MacKay and doesn't.
A Jakubiak shot hits a defender before Graham hooks a shot wide.
Welsh looks for a corner and he lifts a shot high over the Thistle crossbar. Thistle again though looking vulnerable as Inverness break.
Thistle frustrations are mounting as they can't create anything like a clear chance in front of goal.
Docherty tries to take charge of things and he does advance to near the edge of the Inverness box but his shot is a poor one and goes well wide.
McKenna needs to tidy up at the back after Docherty gives the ball away.
Hardy snatches at a chance for Inverness and drags his shot wide of Sneddon's right hand post.
Thistle are nearly caught on the break again and this time are thankful that Doran's pass for Hardy is overhit allowing Sneddon to collect.
It's nearly a short lived reprieve for Thistle as Bannigan has to clear off the line from the resultant corner.
Foster makes a great block as Hardy sets up Doran as Inverness break with pace
Holt is able to clear Doran's corner and is fouled in doing so with play restarting with a Thistle free kick.
That's a good chance for Inverness and half-time sub Hardy but his low shot is saved by Sneddon.
Thistle have played well and been much the better side but it remains goalless at the interval.
Juan Alegria has twice come agonisingly close to marking his home Thistle debut with a goal.
Graham is able to touch the ball back to Crawford at the edge of the Inverness box but he lifts his shot over the bar.
Thistle have a bit of defending to do as Inverness counter attack. Samuels has the ball inside the Thistle box on the left hand side bit slips as he shoots sending the ball well wide of goal.
McKenna knocks the ball on and Thistle are close again as Alegria can't quite lift the ball into the net.
Bannigan's corner is cleared.
It's the closest yet to a Thistle goal. Murray's superb flick finds McKenna and his cross into the six yard box is nearly knocked into his own net by Carson.
As Graham dummies a McKenna cross, Murray manages to squeeze the ball towards goal but it's no threat to the Inverness goal.
Inverness have been more in the game in the last few minutes and there is a chance for Samuels as he gets in between two Thistle players but his shot hits the side netting.
Deas has the ball at the left hand corner of the box. Not sure if his effort is intended a cross to the back post or an attempt at goal but it curls beyond Sneddon's left hand post and out for a goal kick in any case.
Docherty clears Doran's corner. The ball is worked back to Doran though and this time Holt is the player to clear.
Foster plays a ball over the top for Alegria. There is no offside and after a good touch to control the ball Alegria is a shade unfortunate to lift his ball over MacKay and over the crossbar.
A clever Murray pass looking for the forward run of Graham is just a shade too strong.
Murray's pass finds Alegria whose cross from the corner of the box is cleared as Thistle continue to press for an early gal.
First chance for Thistle. Murray's cross eventually finds its way to Mayo and he snatches at his left foot shot and sends it wide.
Thistle have started the game at a good tempo and the bulk of the opening minutes have been spent inside the Inverness half. No hint of a chance yet though.
Inverness get things underway.
Thistle will be shooting towards the John Lambie Stand in the first half.
Thistle and Inverness meet for the fourth and final time in the league this season with both teams firmly in the promotion hunt.
Victory for Thistle would take The Jags up to third in the league while an Inverness success would see them get to within 5 points of league leaders Arbroath.
Ian McCall's starting eleven shows three changes from the side that drew with Arbroath midweek and is very much in line with the side that started the second half of that match and came so close to taking full points back to Glasgow.
Half-time substitutes at Gayfield, Richard Foster and Juan Alegria start this time and there is also a starting position for Connor Murray.
Kyle Turner, Cammy Smith and Tunji Akinola are the three that make way for them.
Inverness meantime include ex Jags Sean Welsh and Danny Devine in their starting line-up with Mark Ridgers on the bench.