Betfred Cup
Tue 19 September, 2017. Kick Off: - 19:45
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Tickets are still available to purchase for the Thistle end. The ticket office will be open today until 4pm and be available for sales tomorrow between 10am and 5pm. There will be NO ticket sales after 5pm tomorrow evening.
Prices are as follows:
Adults – £20
Concession – £15
Under 16s – £5
Concessions are classed as adults who are 65+, students in full time education and disabled supporters.
Season Ticket Holders
Tomorrow nights game is NOT on Jags season tickets. Season tickets holders can add the game to their season card using our ticket website ptfctickets or by calling the ticket office on 01415791971(option 1.) If you add the game to your season card then you will be able use your season cards in either the Colin Weir or North Stands where there will be handheld card scanners.
Away support
Away support will be located in the Jackie Husband Stand. The away end is completely sold out. Please do not travel to the ground if you don’t have a ticket.
Jags gaffer, Alan Archibald, spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of tonight’s Betfred Cup quarter final and, although there were a great number of positives to take from Friday night, he knows the cup clash will be an entirely different proposition.
“There were plenty of positives to take from Friday night – especially the second half performance. It won’t be the same kind of game on Tuesday night but it was certainly a performance that gave us heart. There were lessons to be learnt too though as we were sloppy in possession in the first half. We’ve been over both sides of it with the players though and we’ll be well prepared for the Betfred Cup tie.
“We’re at home and it’s a massive chance to get to a semi-final which would be a massive thing for us and for our supporters. Friday night gives us the knowledge that we can hurt this team and while we know it will be a different kind of contest it does give us confidence, it will help no end.”
A 2-2 draw with tonight’s opponents last week has set the home team up well for the clash but Archie knows it will be a very different proposition this evening.
“The boys stood up really well even in the later stages when we were a man down. To be fair, with three centre halves on the pitch that is exactly what we were looking to do. We played to their strengths and I think you saw that, particularly in the later stages. They worked ever so hard and it was only the real bit of quality from Dorrans that we failed to stop.”
Chris Erskine was given his marching orders on Friday and as a result misses tonight’s clash. Although the manager knows the Firhill talisman will be a miss he insists there is enough depth in the squad to provide suitable cover.
“Erskine is a loss, he gives us something different. He didn’t keep the ball as well as we would have liked on Friday but in the final third he gives us something different and he’s willing to go and gamble on a cross which you saw with the goal.
“The flip side to that though is that we did have a very strong bench the other night and it just gives somebody else the chance to go and prove themselves. Our bench on Friday had Steven Lawless, Conor Sammon and Kris Doolan on it so there are plenty of options there.”
Erskine isn’t the only Jag missing with Archibald having a number of key players out of action.
“As well as Erskine we’ll also miss our captain again, Abdul is still struggling with his shoulder and he’ll go see a specialist this week to try and get to the bottom of the problem. In addition to that we’ll also miss Miles Storey who is cup tied and Tomas Černý is still 50/50 with his stomach muscle problem. Tomas has a chance but we’ll just need to wait and see.”
Despite missing his skipper and first choice keeper the gaffer is confident and, more importantly, knows exactly how much a semi-final berth would mean to the Thistle faithful.
“Getting to a semi-final would be absolutely huge for us. I think I played the last time we got that far which shows just how long ago it was! We got close last year when we lost 1-0 to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup and I think you then really start to get a taste for it. Our fans can help as well, they came out in great numbers on Friday and really backed us so hopefully we can get more of the same on Tuesday night – the players really appreciate it.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Conor Sammon and Jags gaffer, Alan Archibald, are now available to Jagzone subscribers – log in now to see them. Jagzone members will also be able to watch highlights of the game from midnight.
Can’t make The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill? Jagzone members can listen to live audio commentary of the match.
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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 picking up their first league points from Rangers since 1995, Partick Thistle returned to action with a midweek clash in the Betfred Cup against the same opponents. The match was Thistle’s second cup quarter-final in two years as they faced their city rivals with a visit to Hampden at stake.
The Jags started with the same formation that earned them Friday’s draw with Ryan Scully still in goals, in Tomas Cerny’s absence. Niall Keown, Daniel Devine and Jordan Turnbull started in a back three with Christie Elliott and Paul McGinn as the wing-backs. Ryan Edwards and Adam Barton started in central midfield with a front three of Conor Sammon, Steven Lawless and Blair Spittal.
The game started with the sides trading half-chances in the opening 20 minutes as James Tavernier, Niall Keown, Blair Spittal and Daniel Candeias all looked to open the scoring early on, before the first clear-cut opportunity of the match in the 23rd minute.
Alfredo Morelos took a shot on goal from 25 yards and his attempt rifled towards the net but Ryan Scully beat it away. The ball then fell to the unmarked and onrushing Josh Windass. He had a free shot on goal but fluffed his lines and miscued, as the danger passed.
In the 36th minute, the hosts had their first big chance to open the scoring. Conor Sammon received the ball on the Thistle left and took Fabio Cardoso on. He used a couple of stepovers to skip past the defender and fire a low shot at the near post. Sammon found the target but Rangers goalkeeper, Jak Alnwick, got down well to the shot and turned it behind.
Sammon had another opportunity to break the deadlock with six minutes of the half left. Christie Elliott whipped a brilliant ball in from the left wing finding Ryan Edwards. The Australian then headed the ball back across goal towards Conor Sammon. The ex-Kilmarnock forward headed across goal and it looked for all the world like it was destined for the net but Jak Alnwick stretched out a strong arm to deny the number 18 the opener.
The game stayed goalless going into half-time as the Jags and the Gers couldn’t be separated. Both sides had their attacks but failed to find the net. Conor Sammon had two great opportunities but was denied twice by top class Jak Alnwick saves.
The second half started quickly and seven minutes in, Alfredo Morelos had a golden opportunity to score the first goal of the match. The ball broke heavily off him and he managed to get in behind the Jags rear-guard. As he ran into the box he attempted to slot the ball past Ryan Scully and into the far corner. His effort beat Scully but also beat the post as the ex-HJK striker passed up on a great chance.
Morelos’ blushes were spared however, when Carlos Pena gave the Gers the lead in the 54th minute. Daniel Candeias’ corner found the head of Pena at the near post. The Mexican flicked it on with a deft header, guiding it into the far corner, giving the visitors the lead.
Immediately following the goal, Thistle shook things up by bringing veteran marksman, Kris Doolan, on for centre-half, Jordan Turnbull.
Despite this attacking change, the Jags still struggled to break the away side down and the Gers should have doubled their advantage in the 64th minute. Paul McGinn slipped on the halfway line allowing Daniel Candeias to break in behind. The number 21 rounded Ryan Scully before taking aim on the open goal but he skied his effort, much to the delight of the home support.
With nine minutes left on the clock, Kris Doolan had a huge opportunity to level things. A corner first dropped to the feet of Daniel Devine, the centre-half turned and shot on goal. Jak Alnwick saved the first effort but the ball fell back to the usually clinical Doolan. He snapped at the shot and fired over the bar, uncharacteristically missing a chance to bring Thistle back level.
Just after that opportunity, Kevin Nisbet came on for Blair Spittal to beef up Thistle’s attack.
When Kris Doolan missed that chance in the 81st minute, many Jags fans may have thought that the game was over. However, in the game’s dying embers, the Jags grabbed an equaliser. Adam Barton swung a deep cross in from the right wing, finding Conor Sammon. The striker nodded down to strike partner, Kris Doolan. Doolan controlled the ball before smashing home, high into the net from close range.
Suddenly, Alan Archibald’s side were level and the game went to extra-time. Thirty more minutes to separate the sides, otherwise the tie would go to penalties.
Unfortunately for the home side, Daniel Candeias restored Rangers’ lead just three minutes into extra-time. Herrera laid the ball off to Candeias from inside the box and the number 21 fired a low shot at the near post. The attempt went through the legs of Christie Elliott and nestled into the corner, beating Ryan Scully to put the Gers back in control.
The scoring didn’t finish there either as Rangers grabbed a third in the 98th minute. Josh Windass slid a low ball across the face of goal, missing everyone. It came to Daniel Candeias past the goal who then redirected it back across the face. His pass found Eduardo Herrera and the substitute used a skillful flick to find the back of the net and double the deficit. After the goal, Stuart Bannigan was brought on for Steven Lawless.
Rangers’ third goal meant game over for Thistle as the Gers ran out 3-1 victors despite the Jags’ best efforts.
Thistle crashed out if the Betfred Cup as Pedro Caixinha’s men advanced to Hampden. The Jags now turn their attentions to a clash with Hearts in Saturday at the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill. Kick-off is 16:00 in Maryhill.
Thistle: Scully, Turnbull (Doolan, 55’), Keown, Devine, Elliott, McGinn, Barton, Edwards, Lawless (Bannigan, 104’, Spittal (Nisbet, 82’), Sammon
Thistle Subs: Sneddon, Bannigan, Doolan, Nitriansky, Nisbet, McCarthy
Rangers: Alnwick, Tavernier, John (Hodson, 78’), Cardoso, Jack, Dorrans, Windass, Morelos (Herrera, 90’, Candeias, Pana (Holt, 69’), Alves (McCrorie, 75’)
Ranger Subs: Foderingham, Dalcio, Herrera, Hodson, Holt, Nemane, McCrorie
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.
A gutted looking Alan Archibald took time away from his other post match duties to speak to ptfc.co.uk and reflect on a very disappointing evening as his Jags side went out of the Betfred Cup at the quarter final stage.
Although the result may look cut and dry on paper the reality could not be farther from that. However, despite a solid performance that caused the Gers no end of problems Archibald knows his side have to face the reality of not making it into the next round.
“Disappointment is the overriding emotion but I think we’re also a bit bemused to be honest. We simply never saw that coming as we went into extra time. I thought we finished the game really strongly and that we deserved the goal based on our possession and play at that point in the game.”
Thistle looked at their most dangerous leading up to the full time whistle and Archie believes the game was there for the taking at that point.
“Honestly I think that the full time whistle was the worst thing that could have happened to us. Maybe if we’d kept playing for a few more minutes we could have found a winner. It’s a lot of ifs and buts but our boys were showing a lot of confidence going into that extra period.
“Credit to Rangers though, they really pegged us back and pushed us deeper and deeper as the game went on. They are good players and do what they do very well.
“We were trying to get Kris Doolan on just as they scored their opening goal from the corner. I don’t think our formation led to any chances for them, they all came from our slack play – passing or getting caught dwelling on the ball. That was a major disappointment because we created some great chances in the first half through some excellent play.”
Conor Sammon put in a man of the match performance for the home side and the veteran marksman impressed his gaffer once again.
“I thought we hurt them and Conor up front did really well. he wasn’t just a target man and his movement and hold up play caused them problems all night long. Our final delivery was poor tonight and probably cost us but we have a good group of players who all work hard for each other and I’m certain that will help us bounce back from this bitter disappointment.”
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Adam Barton. Log in now to see it as soon as it is available.
Jagzone subscribers can rewatch the full 90 minutes soon.
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 © 2017. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Tue 19 September, 2017
Betfred Cup 
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
James Tavernier hits a low shot towards the far post but Scully gets down well to turn it behind.
Jason Holt finds himself with the ball in the box. He tries a left-footed shot but it's blocked and Elliott clears.
Doolan wins the ball 25 yards out and hits it on the bounce. Alnwick turns it behind well.
A low ball goes all the way through to the back post where Candeias slides it back across goal. He finds Herrera who uses a flick to finish from close range.
A chipped ball towards the box finds Conor Sammon. He tries an ambitious header from 20 yards but it's caught easily.
Elliott shoots ten yards over the bar from 30 yards.
Candeias gets the ball from Herrera and from the edge of the box, fires low past Scully at the near post.
A deep Barton cross is headed down by Sammon and Doolan controls before slamming home, high into the net.
Holt is fed inside from the right and tries to pick out the corner. His shot sails well off target.
Devine gets it down and sees his shot saved. It falls to Doolan but he snaps at it and fires over.
Sammon chests a long ball down to Lawless who volleys on goal but it's deflected behind.
A low cross causes a commotion in the Jags' box. It ends up falling to Dorrans on the edge of the box but he drags a shot wide.
A McGinn slip allows Candeias in on goal. He rounds the 'keeper but skies an effort far over the bar.
Kris Doolan tries to break forward. He's tackled but it falls to Sammon who hits it first time and forces a save out of Alnwick.
Candeias curls a corner towards the near post finding Pena. The Mexican flicks the header on and guides into the far corner very well to give Rangers the lead.
Morelos takes a heavy touch in behind the Jags rear-guard and has a one-on-one. He tries to slot it low into the corner but he bends it past the goal.
Declan John gets in behind his marker on the Gers' left and fires a low cross across the face. The ball doesn't get past the front post however as Daniel Devin makes a great block.
Rangers get the second 45 underway.
Blair Spittal whips a 35-yard free-kick ten yards over the bar.
Christie Elliott whips a ball in from the left hand side and finds Edwards. The Australian then heads back down to Sammon who heads on target. He's looking for the near post but Alnwick saves well and the danger is cleared.
Conor Sammon gets the ball on the Thistle left and uses trickery to get past Cardoso in the box. He shoots low at the near post but Alnwick gets down well to save the shot.
Quick passing gets Morelos into the area where he scored from last Friday. He shoots across goal but Jordan Turnbull makes the block.
Christie Elliott breaks in behind brilliantly and finds space on the right flank. He has options in the box but misses them all with an over-hit cross.
Pena hits a shot from outside the box. It's deflected on its way through and Scully collects the bouncing ball.
Morelos has a shot on goal from a tight angle but he rifles a powerful shot over the bar.
Alfredo Morelos takes a pop o goal from 25 yards finding the target. Ryan Scully gets two hands to it but his touch falls to the onrushing Josh Windass. The number eleven has a clear shot on goal but completely miscues.
Blair Spittal tries to weave his way through the Rangers backline and is tackled. The ball then bounces to Conor Sammon who shoots low and sees his shot saved by Alnwick. The striker was offside anyway.
Adam Barton gives the ball away in the Thistle half and Morelos and Pena look to link up in the Jags' box. Morelos is slotted in but Keown comes across and makes the clearing tackle.
Lawless is booked for a foul on Declan John on the Jags' right.
Candeias gets the ball on the edge of the Thistle box. He twists and turns, opening the space for a shot but blasts an effort well over.
Candeias finds Tavernier with a wide free-kick. The ball is slightly behind the right-back but he tries an acrobatic shot. It floats high and wide of Ryan Scully's goal,
Spittal finds Niall Keown but the defender's header is caught easily by Alnwick.
Conor Sammon lays the ball off to Spittal who shoots. Alves blocks it for a corner.
And that's us off and underway at a packed Firhill. A superb display from the North Stand ratchets up the atmosphere. 'Mon the Jags!
Ryan Edwards gets things underway in Maryhill.