SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Tue 6 February, 2018. Kick Off: - 19:45
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Home support
Tickets are still available to purchase for the Thistle end. The ticket office will be open on Tuesday between 10am and 4pm. There will be NO ticket sales after 4pm.
Season Ticket Holders
Thistle fans with a season ticket can use their season cards in either the Colin Weir or North Stands where there will be handheld card scanners. This means that, if you are a season ticket holder, you don’t need to do anything else – simply turn up as usual and use your season card at the Colin Weir or North Stand turnstiles.
Collections
If you have a match ticket or season ticket to collect, you can do so from the Colin Weir Stand reception from 6:15pm on Tuesday. We anticipate it being busy so would recommend early collection to ensure admittance for kick off.
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.
For fastest route to your seat please follow the below directions:
Turnstiles 40-44: enter via NORTH DRIVE / FIRHILL COURT (yellow route)
Turnstiles 45-49: enter via SOUTH DRIVE (red route)
Hospitality
Hospitality for home support is located in the Aitken Suite in the Main Stand and is accessible through the main entrance to the stand on Firhill road. Guests can gain access to the suite from 5:30pm.
Away hospitality is located in the Jackie Husband Stand and is accessible through the main entrance half way up the stand. Guests can gain access to the suite from 5:30pm.
Aitken Suite
As a result of the Aitken Suite being used for hospitality the supporters bar will not be open pre or post-match except for hospitality guests.
A strong performance on Saturday was probably deserving of more than the point that came back from Motherwell to Maryhill. Having said that, it was the latest in a series of strong performances from the Jags since the January break and with a number of first team players returning from long term layoffs due to injury the Jags faithful will be hopeful of a result on Tuesday night.
As the team prepare for the rescheduled match against Rangers it is clear that all the players and staff are determined to go one better than they did the last time the Gers came to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill.
When Jags boss, Alan Archibald, spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of the clash, he started off by touching on previous home performances against Thistle’s cross city rivals.
“We’ve run them close a few times and not always got what we deserved out of the games. The games here, especially in recent times have been, for the most part, quite close and this season in particular we feel like we probably should have taken more from the games.
“It will be tough tonight though – there’s no getting away from that. I think Graeme has strengthened really well, making very good signings who all know the league so I think they’ll be a tougher proposition than maybe they have been in the past.”
With both Old Firm sides losing at the weekend it would be understandable to expect some sort of backlash come kick off but Archibald is clear that any thought of that will not affect his team’s preparations.
“You never know what you’re going to get when one of the Old Firm loses a match but it won’t affect our preparation. We’ve done our analysis and looked into the Hibs game to see if we could identify any weaknesses to exploit. Even in defeat though, they showed great quality and created some really good chances. It’s the same as ever in that we will need to be at our very best to get anything from the game. Our home form has been good all season though so we’ll be hoping that will help us get a result out of the game.”
There is a refreshed feeling around the Thistle squad in 2018 and that has so far been backed up with strong on pitch performances. This is a trend that Archie is determined to keep going.
“The January break was great for us but the month before that was also really positive in terms of us having guys back training with us who had recovered from injury which just gave us that extra element of competition. That is always going to be a good thing and I think you see an uplift in training and performances when everyone has another player snapping at their heels for a place in the squad.
“The real positive for me is that we now have like for like replacements in almost every position and they’re quality replacements at that. It means if we do pick up knocks like we did ahead of Saturday’s game we have bodies to come straight in and replace them. We’ve not been in that situation all season and instead have had to shoehorn the likes of Blair Spittal and Steven Lawless into unfamiliar positions which disrupts the balance of the side, no matter how well they do when called upon.
“We’re going into the game on quite strong form. We got a draw on Saturday at Fir Park which is a really tough place to go. That was preceded with a good win away to St Johnstone and a strong performance here against Celtic. All of these are things we can draw on and take positives from. Ultimately though we need the players to be at their best.
With the worst of his injury problems behind him the gaffer was forced to shuffle his pack again on Saturday with Sammon, Lawless and Booth all missing. However the news was more positive ahead of Tuesday night’s match.
“Conor Sammon will come back into contention after returning to Glasgow on Sunday and training with the squad on Monday. Callum Booth and Steven Lawless both missed the game on Saturday with knocks so we’ll need to wait and see how they are ahead of kick off. Other than that I think the squad will be much the same as it was at the weekend.
More exclusive preview interviews with Miles Storey 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 source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
After moving out of the bottom two spots of the Ladbrokes Premiership with a 1-1 draw against Motherwell three days prior, Partick Thistle looked to move further away from the relegation play-off position with a home fixture against Rangers. Having ended 2017 with a terrific run of home form, the Jags were still waiting for their first win in Maryhill of the new year and a victory against Rangers would be the perfect way to get it.
Alan Archibald made four changes to the side which drew at Fir Park as James Penrice came in for Mustapha Dumbuya with Callum Booth still out injured. Daniel Devine also came into the starting XI with Niall Keown suffering an injury in training. A change in formation meant that Blair Spittal returned to the first XI in place of Adam Barton as the team went from 5-3-2 to 4-2-3-1. Having missed the match against Motherwell due to a family bereavement, Conor Sammon came back into the team in place of Kris Doolan to face the Gers.
Thistle started the match at a high tempo and had two chances within the first ten minutes. First of all, Blair Spittal slotted a low pass into the box for Conor Sammon to run onto. The Irishman tried to lift a reversed shot over Wes Foderingham but the English goalkeeper was able to turn the ball behind. Sammon then had another shot on goal just a minute later as he controlled Martin Woods’ cross in the box. He held off his marker and fired goalward but missed the target with his right foot.
After a rapid start from the hosts the game died down and another chance didn’t come until the 24th minute. Sean Goss whipped a Rangers free-kick in from the Gers’ left finding the run of Russell Martin who had lost his marker. The experienced defender then tried to find the bottom corner with a headed effort but he nodded wide of the target.
Thistle got away with one as Martin had been lost by a marker, however, the Jags wouldn’t be let off when Josh Windass grabbed the game’s opener on 38 minutes. A great run from Daniel Candeias got the winger in behind young full-back James Penrice and the Rangers number 21 delivered an inch-perfect low cross into the feet of Windass. The number 11 took the shot on first time, finding the very top corner of Tomas Cerny’s goal to give the visitors the lead.
The home side did come close to drawing level once before the break as Conor Sammon hit the frame of the goal. Sammon flicked Paul McGinn’s throw-in on to Blair Spittal who had moved into the Rangers box. He went down under the challenge of Declan John but Sammon kept play alive. He hit a right footed shot towards goal which seemed destined for the net. It curled the wrong way and hit the inside of the post before bouncing away from goal. It was desperately close for Thistle but the teams went into the break with the away team leading 1-0.
The Jags had created a better quality of chance during the first 45 minutes but Rangers had taken one of two big chances that they got. Josh Windass’ clinical finish was excellent and despite Thistle’s good chances, was the difference between the sides. A continuation of the first half performance would be the best way for the Jags to drag themselves back into the game.
Alan Archibald made his first change of the game just five minutes into the second half as Chris Erskine replaced Blair Spittal.
Around ten minutes into the second half Thistle began to build some good passing play and looked to be forging a route back into the game, however, a second Rangers goal just before the hour mark killed that progress in its tracks. James Tavernier picked up the ball in the centre circle before passing it off and moving forward. He got the ball again around ten yards outside Thistle’s penalty area before proceeding to shoot. He bent a looping effort on goal which beat Tomas Cerny all ends up, clipping the underside of the bar as it flew in.
In an attempt to re-energise his attack, Alan Archibald made his second change of the evening on 71 minutes as Kris Doolan came on for Conor Sammon.
The hosts almost dragged themselves back into the game on 82 minutes through a Martin Woods corner. Woods whipped a delivery into the Rangers area from the Colin Weir Stand side of the pitch and saw it fall to Miles Storey in the box. A scramble ensued but Storey was able to poke the ball towards goal. The shot came in at close range but Foderingham was able to get down to save it.
Thistle made their final substitute as James Penrice was replaced by Mustapha Dumbuya but the change made no difference to the result as the match ended 2-0 to Rangers. The loss made no difference to Thistle league position as they remained in tenth position with a cup game against Celtic to look forward to.
Article Copyright © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Having drawn against the Govan side earlier in the season at home, Partick Thistle looked to extend the gap between themselves and the bottom two with another result against Rangers tonight. Unfortunately for the Jags, they couldn’t take anything from the game as, despite a promising first half, they fell to a 2-0 defeat.
Goals from Josh Windass and James Tavernier saw the visitors to victory while the Jags remained just a single point above 11th spot. Thistle manager, Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk after the game.
Archie started by telling us that although the end result was disappointing, he was impressed by his side’s performance during the opening 45 minutes when his Jags were looked dangerous and incisive on plenty of occasions.
“I was happy with the way we started. We looked up for it and created some decent chances. We were probably on top for the first 30 minutes but when you are in control, you have to score and we didn’t do that which cost us.
“Ryan Edwards had a spectacular goal ruled out but I’ve been told that he was onside which is annoying. Also Conor Sammon hits the inside of the post and you’re expecting the net to bulge considering his form, however it just didn’t happen for us and they improved for the second half.”
With his side’s showing in mind, Alan believes that the timing of Rangers’ two goals really hurt his side.
“They’ve scored a couple of good goals but we can always do better defensively. In terms of timing, them scoring off the back of our period of control was a sucker punch and then they doubled the lead just after we were looking like coming back into it so I do think that the goals came at bad times for us momentum-wise.”
The gaffer knows that his side must learn to take advantage of spells of dominance if they are to climb the Ladbrokes Premiership table, after all it’s goals that will win games.
“We created plenty but weren’t clinical enough. There were a couple of decisions that went against us but we have to expect that and take the chances that won’t be ruled out. That’s the main thing that was missing tonight. Rangers obviously have quality players who are very valuable and you can see that quality brings the clinical finishing which won them the game this evening.”
The Jags have little time to dwell on the day’s defeat as they must now focus on a William Hill Scottish Cup tie against Celtic on Saturday. Kick-off is 12:15 at Parkhead.
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Daniel Devine. Log in now to see it as soon as it is available.
Jagzone subscribers will be able to rewatch the full 90 minutes soon
Highlights will be added shortly and will be free for Jagzone subscribers.
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Article Copyright © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Tue 6 February, 2018
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Daniel Devine is down receiving treatment at the moment after a clash as he challenged to clear a corner.
Today's match sponsors Plumbstore have named their Man of the Match as Thistle number 37, Martin Woods.
A Woods corner falls to Storey in the box. He manages to poke it towards goal but Foderingham saves well.
Goss shanks a free-kick 50 yards over the bar. Surely the worst free-kick taken this season!
The youngster is booked for a tug-back on Candeias.
Halliday shoots safely over from 35 yards.
Murphy sees a shot deflect behind off Daniel Devine.
As Rangers break, Jamie Murphy slots a low pass through to Jason Cummings. Cerny comes out and smothers the striker's attempts to skip past but the flag is up against Cummings anyway.
Tavernier curls an excellent shot home from 20 yards.
Thistle just starting to control the ball more and the Jags are beginning to cause danger around the Rangers area.
Murphy and Tavernier link up well in the Thistle area but Cerny is out quickly to make a sliding save.
Half-time change for the away side as Halliday slots in at left-back.
A blistering start from Thistle fell away quickly and the match began a bit of a nothing contest. neither side created much but when a chance did come for Rangers they were clinical. Windass fired home a Candeias cross to give the visitors the lead and Thistle were perhaps undeservingly behind.
Conor Sammon nearly drew the Jags level on 45 minutes but his low effort came back out of the far post rather than in.
All-in-all, a decent first half for tonight's hosts but the Rangers goal will be a real sucker punch to the Maryhill men.
Spittal makes a run into the box and is tackled. The ball then falls to Sammon who hits it first time. His strike hits the far post and comes back out. So close yet so far for Thistle on the stroke of half-time.
A Martin Woods free-kick falls to Storey. He shifts onto his right foot and fires high and wide from just inside the box.
A low Daniel Candeias cross finds Windass in the box and the number 11 finishes well into the top corner.
A Conor Sammon flick on comes to Ryan Edwards who lashes a stunning volley into the top corner. Unfortuantely, the linesman's flag is up against the Australian and the goal doesn't stand. What a goal it would have been though!
A Sean Goss free-kick finds the head of Martin who had found space in the Thistle box. He heads low on goal with a stooped attempt but nods wide of the post with a deft flick.
Cargill blocks a Caneias cross.
Following a quick Thistle start, both teams ahve struggled to get the ball down for a good few minutes and there is little to talk about at the moment.
After some good passing, Blair Spittal plays Conor Sammon into the box. He tries to lift it over Foderingham from the angle but the Rangers 'keeper turns it behind. In the following Phase of play, Martin Woods' cross is controlled by Sammon in the box. He fires on goal but misses the target.
Martin Woods drags a weak shot wide of the near post from 25 yards after Conor Sammon intercepted a Windass pass.