Sun 20 May, 2018
Ladbrokes Premiership Play-Off 
The Energy Check Stadium at FirhillLadbrokes Premiership Play-Off
Sun 20 May, 2018. Kick Off: - 15:30
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Supporter Information:
Admission Details:
As per SPFL rules entrance to this game is not included on your season ticket, however the club is able to offer a significant discount to all season ticket holders as detailed below.
Prices
Adult: £20
Concession: £15
U16: £5
ST adult: £10
ST concession: £7.50
ST U16: £5
Season ticket holders can add the game to their season ticket card online from 10am on Sunday and over the phone (0141 579 1971) / from the office from 10am on Monday. Season ticket seats will be reserved until 7pm on Monday after which all seats will be released for general sale.
Tickets for non-season ticket holders can be purchased online from Sunday and in the office or over the phone (0141 579 1971) from Monday. A decision on whether there will be cash turnstiles in operation on the day will be taken closer to the time but demand is expected to be extremely high so supporters are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance.
Away Supporters
There will be a cash gate in operation for away fans who will be accomodated in the Colin Weir Stand
Office hours
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill Executive Offices will be operating extended opening hours this week to accommodate ticket sales. Full details of which can be found below:
Sunday: CLOSED
Monday: 10:00 – 19:00
Tuesday: 10:00 – 19:00
Wednesday: 10:00 – 19:00
Thursday: 10:00 – 19:00
Friday: 10:00 – 17:00
Saturday: CLOSED
It’s safe to say that Thursday’s Play-off Final First Leg against Livingston did not go as Jags boss, Alan Archibald would have liked. With a one goal deficit to make up the Thistle squad know exactly what they need to do to guarantee Ladbrokes Premiership football next season.
Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk to explain what they took from the first game and how they plan to put it right on Sunday.
“We’ve watched the game back and reflected on the performance but my thoughts on it haven’t changed much in that time – we just didn’t play. We didn’t play our game at all, credit to Livi as that was partly due to them not letting us play but we didn’t assert ourselves on it at all and we made bad decisions. You don’t win games like that playing how we played and we must do better.
“The players are an honest bunch, we watched it back together and they all accepted that it wasn’t good enough and we have to perform to a higher standard.”
With a winner takes all tie ahead Archibald knows from personal experience what is at stake and the gaffer is absolutely certain that the players know too.
“Everyone knows what is on the line and it couldn’t be higher stakes. We have to win the game to stay in the league, simple as that. We know what we need to do but we know how we need to do it as well. Everyone is aware of how dangerous Livi are on the turnover so we’ve got to make sure we bring our own game to the table as well.
“Our incentive is that they are coming to take our place and nobody likes that. As I say though, we know what we need to do and we know we are capable so we just need to throw everything at it come Sunday and make sure we earn our right to play top flight football next season. We’ve now got 90 minutes to go and save our season.”
Livingston outperformed Thistle in the first leg and although Archibald is looking for bravery from his players he insists that isn’t just about physicality.
“People talk about players being brave in terms of a physical battle but for me there’s as much bravery associated with going and showing for the ball when the pressure is on. That’s as much bravery for me as going and winning a 50/50 tackle. There’s a big pitch out there and we need to make sure we use it to our best advantage.
“The two positives for me coming out of Thursday night were that we’re still in the game and we’ve got another chance at it but also that we can’t be any worse than that I don’t think – and that’s individually and collectively as a team. One thing is for sure, we need to make sure we are much, much better.
“The occasion and the way the game went meant that it was a battle. We’re used to that though, most games are a bit of that for the first half hour. What was disappointing though was that when it settled down after the first half hour and there was the chance to play it and move the ball we didn’t. That played to their strengths and they play that game very well. We got dragged into it and probably played more long balls than we have all season.”
Archibald was forced into several changes for the first leg but is hopeful of getting at least some of his walking wounded back in time for Sunday’s clash.
“We had a few injuries on Thursday night and we’ll no doubt have issues to contend with come Sunday. Chris Erskine didn’t make the bench on Thursday because of a hamstring issue and Christie Elliott only just made it so both of those guys are 50/50 for Sunday. Osman and Keown also just missed out for the first leg so hopefully they will be involved for the final game. We’ve got a squad full of guys absolutely desperate to play so if we can get them on the pitch we will.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Kris Doolan and Jags gaffer, Alan Archibald, are now available to Jagzone subscribers – log in to see them. Jagzone members will also be able to watch highlights of the game.
Can’t make The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill? Jagzone World members (outside the UK and Ireland) can watch the game live – the stream is also available on a PPV basis.
Jagzone members can also listen to live audio commentary of the match.
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 written permissions, source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
It's Championship football for Thistle next season.
Congratulations to Livingston on their well deserved promotion.
Four minutes of additional time to be played.
Sammon's penalty is saved.
Alexander grabs a Barton header.
Alexander holds on to a low Lawless drive with Doolan waiting for any mistake.
Alexander has to claw a Booth cross away. When Thistle get the ball back the final cross is far too deep.
Elliott snatches at a shot that nearly goes out for a throw.
Buchanan comes on for Robinson.
Sammon glances a header across the face of goal.
Thistle appeal with no real hope for a penalty when a Barton shot hits a defender.
Elliott meets a cross at the back post but his header flies straight to the waiting Alexander.
Spittal finds enough room for a shot but there is no real power in his shot and Alexander gets down to save.
Last throw of the dice for Thistle as Booth comes on for Erskine.
Lawless shoots from just outside the box but it is straight at Alexander.
The corner is well defended as Thistle continue to struggle to make any impression on the Livi defence.
Edwards on for Woods.
Doolan glances a header well wide.
McMillan replaces Miller.
Thistle who have managed just two efforts on goal all tie need to find two goals in 25 minutes to force extra time. Livingston are very comfortable right now. Something needs to happen now if Thistle are to have any hope.
Lawless once more finds McGinn to his right but this time his cross is headed clear by a defender.
Lawless plays a lovely ball down the right fo McGinn but Alexander claims his cut back.
An Elliott cross thar goes out for a goal kick sums up Thistle's lack of quality where it counts.
Cadden aims the corner to the back post. A header comes in but goes wide.
Cadden replaces Thompson.
Spittal's corner is good but no Thistle head acan get on the end of it.
Erskine finds some space and plays a pass to the feet of Doolan but he can't find Erskine with the return pass.
Sammon comes on for McCarthy.
Livingston have a goal kick. Thistle have made no impression since losig the goal.
It's the Livi fans that are in full voice right now as Thistle realise just how much their team need to do in the time remaining.
Thistle have a massive mountain to climb now as Jacobs fires Livingston ito the lead right at the start of the second half.
All square at the break.
Thistle have been the better side with pressure mouting all the time.
Blair Spittal right on half-time was the closest to a Jags goal and was denied by an excellent stop by Alexander.
All to play for in the second half.
Alexander makes an excellent stop low to his left to deny Spittal a goal.
Minimum of 3 minutes additional time to be played.
The flag goes up for offside halting a promising Thistle attack.
Carill's header is just too far in front of a lurking Doolan.
It's another decent coner but it won't fall to a Thistle player.
Spittal's corner is good one but is well defended by Livingston.
Spittal does really well to keep the ball in but his cross doesn't find a team mate.
Cerny fists the corner clear. Thistle break quickly but Erskine can't find a man to his right.
The long throw comes in and falls to Thompson whose shot is blocked.
Cargill fails to keep the ball in near his own corner flag
Spittal takes the free kick himself and nearly picks out Cargill at the back post but the ball goes out for a goal kick.
Spittal is fouled near the touchline on the left and Thistle have a free kick.
Erskine goes down but there is no free kick on this occasion.
It's a decent free kick and Halkett gets a head to it but can't keep his header down.
Thompson goes down and the free kick follows.
Thompson clatters into McGinn and not only comes off second worse but collects a yellow card into the bargain.
Adam Barton is the second Thistle player to collect a yellow card.
Lawless' curling cross goes out of play for a gol kick.
A Lawless shot thumps off a defender. Thistle pick up the loose ball and McCarthy has it wide on the right. Neither Doolan or Erskine though can't quite gather his cross but Thistle are increasing the pressure.
Alexander ges a strong fist to Spittal's corner.
Lawless and Erskine combine down the left but there is no corner when the ball goes out of play. Alexander takes his time over the goal kick.
A dangerous Erskine cross is cleared and seconds later a Spittal ball into the box is also cleared.
Cerny make an easy catch from the free kick.
Thompson goes to ground easily once more but earns Livi a free kick a few yards inside the Thistle half.
Plenty on intensity in the game but no real chanes at either end.
Lawless gets to the bye line and lifts a cross towards Erskine. He gets his head to the ball but it drops wide with Thistle looking in vain for a corner kick.
Woods is still receiving treatment
Erskine's shot is blocked at the 6 yard box and Livi, with Woods down injured, break quickly but Barton is there is snuff out any danger. It's been a frantic opening.
It's a lecture for Woods after another hefty Thistle challenge.
Elliott is penalised for another foul this time inside the Livi half.
Elliott goes heavily in on a Livi player and collects an early yellow card.
Barton fouls Thompson and Livi have a free kick.
Elliott gets a ball over from the left and Livi just avoid conceding a corner.
It's do or die at Firhill this afternoon with Thistle, after a poor display at Livingston on Thursday, trailing by a goal going into this afternoon's second leg.
There are a number of changes to the side that started on Thursday.
Into the starting eleven come Blair Spittal, Chris Erskine, Christie Elliott and Andrew McCarthy.
Callum Booth, Daniel Devine, Conor Sammon and Ryan Edwards are the quartet that make way for them.
Kick-off is not little more than 20 minutes away and te atmosphere is building nicely inside the stadium.