Saturday 30th March, 2019 at 9:00pm
Partick Thistle returned to winning ways this afternoon with an impressive 3-0 victory at Cappielow Park against Greenock Morton. The Jags came into the match without a win in three but swept the Ton aside nevertheless, with a clinical first half display.
Kris Doolan opened the scoring on 16 minutes as he returned to the starting XI, before Steven Anderson doubled the advantage 20 minutes later. Then, just three minutes before the break, Doolan netted a second to secure his first brace since his 100th and 101st goals back in 2017.
Despite chances after the break, Thistle were unable to add to their winning margin but did hold onto their clean sheet and the 3-0 win which moves them above Falkirk and to within two points of the day’s opponents.
Thistle boss, Gary Caldwell, chatted to ptfc.co.uk following a thoroughly satisfying performance. He started by paying tribute to his front two:
“Our play in the final third was excellent for the whole game. The two strikers were magnificent and they showed their experience and class throughout. Kris Doolan worked very hard and popped up with two great striker’s goals while Scotty McDonald did a lot right without getting on the scoresheet.
“We wanted to get more passes into the strikers’ feet and that suited them down to the ground. They’ve both got a great first touch and great short passing ability which allowed them to combine really well and they brought others into the game very well too, I thought.”
The gaffer then walked us through the third goal of the game which saw the aforementioned strike partners combine.
“It was great to see another one of the routines come off although Scotty’s actually meant to shoot from that one. The movement was great and Banzo’s block at the edge of the box was excellent too but we put a lot of work into those set pieces and that was our reward for that hard work.”
The game represents the first time Thistle have won a league game by three this season but Gary felt like it could have easily been an even more comprehensive triumph for his side.
“We definitely could have scored more. I haven’t seen it back but Blair Spittal’s goal didn’t look offside to me then we also had chances through Scott McDonald and Steven Anderson could have easily scored again with his header in the second half. We’ll take the 3-0 and hopefully carry that sort of scoring form into the last few games of the season.”
The Jags boss ended by complimenting Steven Anderson, the scorer of Thistle’s second goal and a key component of the defence which kept Morton at bay for the full 90 minutes.
“He’s an old school defender for the most part. He likes making blocks and heading the ball which makes him a vital player for us in defence. Also, he’s constantly talking and helping those around him which makes the whole backline better.
“On top of that, he’s popped up with a few goals and having threats like Ando at offensive set pieces is brilliant for us and gives us more options when we’re creating our routines.”
A more in depth video interview with Gary Caldwell is available now to Jagzone subscribers, interviews with Kris Doolan and Steven Saunders are also available – log in now to see them.
Highlights will be added at midnight 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 © 2019. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
