SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Sat 4 November, 2017. Kick Off: - 15:00
Ibrox Stadium. Glasgow
Supporters Information:
Ticket information:
Ticket sales are now CLOSED
Supporters’ Buses:
City Centre Branch:
Pick ups:
Q Club – 13:50
Station Bar – 14:00
Non members welcome.
Please call 07979496154 or email to book.
Jordanhill Branch:
Pick ups:
Jordanhill Station – TBC
Thornwood Bar – TBC
Prices:
TBC for adults
TBC for concessions
All Jags fans are welcome but booking is essential.
For seats please contact Alistair on 07817612563 or email
For general enquires please contact Iain on 07779668357 or email
North-West Branch:
The North-West Branch will NOT be running a bus to this fixture
This Saturday sees Alan Archibald’s Jags side make the short trip across the Clyde to take on Rangers at Ibrox. Despite a tough start to the season the Jags seem to have turned a corner, taking seven points from a possible nine. With the results comes an upturn in confidence, something the gaffer will be looking to carry into the match on Saturday.
“I think we’re certainly in a better frame of mind – both the players and ourselves as coaching staff. We’re off the bottom of the league and coming into Saturday’s match off the back of a good week where we’ve taken seven points from nine. Hopefully we can go and build on this run when we go to Ibrox which will be a tough place to go – it always is.”
With Celtic making the Betfred Cup final the Jags now have eight games in December and only two in November, a strange quirk of the fixture computer.
“The fixtures have panned out really strangely as we only have two games in November and eight in December. That being the case it was always going to be vital that we took as many points as possible from this recent run of fixtures. The wee run we’re on now sets us up well for a vital period of games coming up and gives us a good platform to build from. We’re not out of the woods yet though and there’s plenty of hard work left to do.”
It’s fair to say Thistle’s injury record this season has been one of the worst in the league and, in the run up to the festive period Archibald knows he may have multiple selection headaches.
“The injuries we’ve had put a bit of extra pressure on that busy December period but we’re hopeful that we might get one or two of them back at least for a portion of that period. We’ve got them pencilled in but the way things have been going, and the way our luck has been this season, I’d say we’re more likely to add to that list rather than take players off it! Until we have something decisive in terms of availability we really just have to focus on the players we do have fit and take it from there.
Rangers managerial change has been well publicised in the last few weeks and while it is obviously something the coaching staff takes into account the Firhill gaffer isn’t concerning himself too much with the comings and goings at Ibrox.
“You’d think it might make it more difficult but it actually makes it a bit easier to be honest. It allows us just to focus on that one game against Hearts in terms of analysing it. Obviously he[Graeme Murty] brought in Kenny Miller and he made a real difference just by injecting a bit of energy into the performance and into the team. He’s a real leader and his movement will always cause you problems which I don’t think ever leaves a quality player.
“Rangers have really frustrated us since they came into the league. We’ve played really well against them at home and we’ve shot ourselves in the foot either with late goals or red cards so we’ve just got to strive to do better.
“We’re unbeaten against them over 90 minutes in the last two games so we go into it in a confident frame of mind. We know what we will come up against and what we will face but they’re still a very good side no matter what anyone says. We’ll prepare for it in the best way we can and hopefully that preparation gives us the best possible chance come Saturday.”
More exclusive video interviews with Tomáš Černý, Blair Spittal 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 extended highlights of the game.
Can’t make it to the Ibrox Stadium? Jagzone members can listen to live audio commentary of the match. JagZoneLIVE begins at 2:30pm on Saturday.
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.
Since picking up a late win against Dundee, Partick Thistle have experienced an upturn in form. That win was followed by a solid draw with Hamilton and then another victory at home against St. Johnstone. Now, heading into the final international break of 2017, the Jags looked to pick up their maiden away win of the Ladbrokes Premiership season at Ibrox.
The hosts came into the game off the back of a managerial change and a win. The Gers won impressively at Hearts last weekend despite losing the first goal.
Thistle made no changes to the team that defeated St. Johnstone seven days prior. Tomas Cerny remained in goals and the back five was unchanged; Paul McGinn, Niall Keown, stand-in captain Daniel Devine, Jordan Turnbull and Steven Lawless. Adam Barton and Ryan Edwards sat at the base of the midfield with Blair Spittal beginning the match just ahead of them in the number ten role. Up top, Conor Sammon retained his place alongside double match-winning striker, Miles Storey.
The game started slowly, with the first serious chance of the match not falling until the 15th minute. Ryan Jack found time on the ball just outside the Jags’ box and he shot low from range. The ball skipped up off the turf but Tomas Cerny made the save, turning the shot past his right-hand post.
Rangers went close again in the 24th minute as Morelos saw a shot saved. The ball broke to the Colombian in the Thistle box and he struck a powerful effort from the angle. His attempt flew goal wards and looked dangerous but Tomas Cerny turned it over the bar with a smart save once again.
Despite Cerny’s early saves, the Jags would fall behind on 28 minutes. A short corner routine between Daniel Candeias and Kenny Miller allowed the former to bend an inch-perfect ball into the centre for Ross McRorie to nod home confidently. A momentary lapse in focus cost the visitors as Rangers grabbed the all-important opener.
The Gers weren’t content with just the solitary goal either as they made it two in the 38th minute. Jason Holt picked up the ball in the middle of the park and drove directly through the away side’s backline. He ran and ran and ran before shooting from around ten yards. Tomas Cerny came out to make a strong save but the rebound fell directly to Daniel Candeias who stroked the ball home via the post, giving the Gers a two goal advantage.
The match stayed at 2-0 as the teams entered the break with Thistle the architects of their own downfall in the opening 45 minutes. Poor concentration was punished for the deadlock-breaking goal and allowing Jason Holt time on the ball was the mistake for the second. Alan Archibald implemented a change of shape during the interval as his side went to a flat back four with Jordan Turnbull at left-back, giving Steven Lawless a bit more attacking freedom, at left midfield.
The Thistle boss’ tactical alterations proved initially ineffective when Rangers made it three, a minute into the second half. A high clearance by a Rangers defender was headed into the air by Daniel Devine. Jordan Turnbull then tried to head the ball backwards to Tomas Cerny but he horribly misjudged it, playing it into the path of Josh Windass who found himself in on goal. Windass burst into the box, finishing under Tomas Cerny to give the Gers a three goal advantage.
Looking to get back into the game, Alan Archibald made his first personnel change of the day when he brought Kris Doolan on for Conor Sammon in the 57th minute.
Things didn’t get much better for the Jags though as Rangers went close to a fourth of the afternoon a minute later. Daniel Candeias broke down the right win, drilling a cross into the middle. He found Windass and the ex-Accrington Stanley man laid the ball back for the onrushing Kenny Miller. Miller struck it first time but skied his effort, missing the target by quite a bit.
There were half chances to follow for the likes of Kris Doolan and Ryan Edwards but the visitors struggled to work Wes Foderingham as the game went on. In the 71st minute, Thistle made their second change of the game. Miles Storey made way and replacing him was Gary Fraser who was making his first senior appearance since April of last year. Kevin Nisbet also came on, replacing Steven Lawless.
The changes didn’t make a difference though as Rangers rode the game out, winning 3-0. Late half opportunities for Gary Fraser and Ryan Edwards failed to find the net and Thistle fell to their first defeat in four games.
The Jags now have two weeks to prepare for their next game with the international break now in progress. Thistle’s next fixture is a league clash with Hearts on Sunday 19th November.
THISTLE TEAM: Cerny, McGinn, Keown, Devine (c), Turnbull, Lawless (Nisbet, 84’), Barton, Edwards, Spittal, Sammon (Doolan, 57’), Storey (Fraser, 71’).
UNUSED SUBS (PTH): Scully, Nitriansky, C. Wilson.
RANGERS TEAM: Foderingham, Tavernier, McRorie, D. Wilson, John, Holt, Jack, Miller, Candeias, Windass (Kranjcar, 69’), Morelos (Hardie, 85’).
UNUSED SUBS (RNG): Alnwick, Herrera, Alves, Barjonas, Hodson.
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.
Having gone three games unbeaten for the first time since the opening weekend of the league season, Partick Thistle travelled to Ibrox to take on Rangers as they searched for their maiden away win of the Ladbrokes Premiership season. The Jags played well in patches but individual errors and lapses in concentration were punished by the hosts and Thistle fell to a 3-0 defeat. The defeat sees Thistle remain in tenth on ten points going into the international break. Jags’ boss, Alan Archibald, spoke to ptfc.co.uk after the game.
Archie’s biggest disappointment was the manner with which Rangers got their goals as the Govan side cruised to a 3-0 victory.
“The result is disappointing but the goals we conceded were appalling and that’s probably the toughest part to take. We’ve kept two good clean sheets in our last two games and we didn’t make them work for the goals. No matter what’s happening behind the scenes, Rangers have talented players who will punish any mistakes you make and that’s what they did today.”
The gaffer also spoke about how the third goal changed the game. He made some formation changes during the break as his side looked to climb back into contention but less than two minutes into the second period, the Jags conceded a third all but ending the game realistically.
“At 2-0, the next goal is vital and we made some changes looking to get that next goal but Jordan Turnbull’s mistake came at a bad time, just after the interval which was a sore one. However, I have to give credit to the lads, they didn’t give up and they kept looking for something, even just a goal. We actually got into some decent areas in the second 45 but we lacked that killer touch.”
A poor defensive performance such as today’s may have some thinking that the Jags are slipping back into the bad habits that saw them fail to win in nine league games to start the season, however, Alan is looking for his players to learn from the problems today rather than beat themselves up over them.
“We had a good week last week but we all knew it would be tough coming here. We were looking for a better result than we got but we can’t let the heads go down. We can’t let those little bits of poor defending and decision-making creep back into our game. Now it’s all focus on the Hearts game after the break.”
The Thistle boss also touched on Gary Fraser’s return to the first team after a long absence having made his last first team appearance in April of last year.
“That was probably the big positive from the game. Getting Gary back on the pitch after so long out, getting him 20 minutes on the pitch was great. He’s an infectious character and it’s not been nice seeing him out for such a long period of time. Hopefully, the time on the pitch has done him some good and he can push on from here with some more Development League football on Tuesday.”
Archie and the Thistle squad now have some recovery time before they’re back in action. An international break means there is now two weeks until the Jags’ next fixture. That game comes in Edinburgh as Thistle travel to Hearts for a Ladbrokes Premiership clash. Kick-off is 15:00 in the capital.
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Daniel Devine and Paul McGinn. 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.
Sat 4 November, 2017
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
Ibrox Stadium. Glasgow
There will be three added minutes.
Edwards' long range effort is parried and collected by Foderingham.
Gary Fraser drags a shot wide of the target from 20 yards.
Krancjar curls an effort on goal but he misses the goal by a few yards.
Spittal nips past his marker and plays it to Doolan. He shoots from 15 yards but narrowly misses the target.
Ryan Edwards' bending shot from 25 yards goes a few yards wide of the post.
Storey gets the ball behind the Rangers rear-guard and Doolan latches onto the loose ball. He shoots with his left but lashes it into the side netting.
Candeias breaks down the wing and finds Windass with a cross. The number 11 then touches it back to the onrushing Miller who blazes it over the bar.
Lawless nods a clearance down to Edwards who shoots with his left but it goes a few yards over Foderingham's goal.
Morelos lashes a volley high and wide from 35 yards.
A long ball beats the Thistle defence despite Turnbull's efforts. The ball comes to Windass who finshes under Cerny.
Rangers get the second 45 started.
Spittal plays it to McGinn who sees a cross blocked for a corner.
Jason Holt pierces through the Jags defence and shoots at goal. Cerny saves, however, it falls to Candeias whos strokes home via the post.
Following a scramble in the Rangers box, the hosts break. They try to get through a couple of times before Josh Windass is fed the ball in space on the edge of the box. He controls and shootas but Niall Keown makes a strong block.
Daniel Devine turns a bouncing cross behind.
A short corner between Candeias and Miller allows the former to whip in an inch perfect ball. On the end of it is Ross McRorie and the young defender heads home confidently.
The ball breaks to Morelos in the box and he hits a snap-shot froma tight angle, It's powerful and on target but Tomas Cerny turns it over. Shortly after, Windass takes a dig at goal from 30 yards but he slices his attempt high and wide.
Paul McGinn heads a ball to Miles Storey in behind the Rangers defence. Storey hits a cross in from the by-line towards Edwards. Edwards leaps for it but Foderingham claims the high ball.
Jack breaks the Thistle rear-guard and bursts into the Thistle box on the left. He looks for a square pass across the face but no one is there to tap it home and the danger subsides.
Tavernier finds space in the Thistle box and drives a low ball across goal. It's destined for the foot of Morelos, who would have had a tap-in but Turnbull turns it behind for a corner which comes to nothing.
Ryan Jack moves forward and shoots from 25 yards. His attempt skips up off the turf but Cerny turns it wide for a corner.
Sammon gets in behind his marker and crosses to Storey. He controls and lays it backwards but Candeias clears for a Thistle throw.
Declan John sees a speculative effort from range blocked before it even reaches the Jags' box.
Rangers controlling most of the ball in the early stages but failing to create much in the box. Thistle just had there first decent move of the game as Miles Storey's cross skipped right across the Raangers six-yard box.
After a slack pass from Lawless, Candeias bursts down the Gers' right wing. He whips in a good ball but Cerny comes to claim it.
Ryan Edwards gets the game underway here at Ibrox.
Hello and welcome to the ptfc.co.uk live text commentary for today's Ladbrokes Premiership meeting between Partick Thistle and Rangers at Ibrox.
The Jags travel to Govan off the back of three unbeaten games including their first two wins of the league season against Dundee and St. Johnstone. A midweek draw with Hamilton was the second game of the three between the victories.
Thistle have yet to win away in the Premiership this season but come to Ibrox looking to change that with an unchanged side from the one that edged out St. Johnstone seven days ago.
Tomas Cerny starts in goal with a back five of Paul McGinn, Niall Keown, Daniel Devine, Jordan Turnbull and Steven Lawless who once again starts in an unfamiliar defensive role. Adam Barton and Ryan Edwards sit at the base of the midfield and Blair Spittal starts just in front of them in the number ten position. Up top it's Conor Sammon and double match winning forward Miles Storey looking to cause the Rangers defence no end of issues.
The sun is out and the warm-ups are finished. We'll be here with kick-off in under ten minutes.