Saturday 10th December, 2016 at 1:03am
Partick Thistle took on Celtic as they searched for a first win in five games. Unfortunately for the Jags, it wasn’t to be with the Hoops extending their lead at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership to 11 points after a 4-1 win over the Firhill side. Ptfc.co.uk spoke to the Thistle boss after the game to get his thoughts on the night’s happenings.
“I’m disappointed, first and foremost. I thought the effort was good for the first 30 minutes but I think there was a lack of belief in the final third, on our side. We lost goals in key times of the match and you simply can’t do that against a team with quality, like Celtic.”
The gaffer was unimpressed with the way his team allowed Celtic to score two quick-fire goals at the start of the second half.
“The manner in which we lost the goals was poor. The timing of the first goal was awful, just before the break and the second one was a set-play which is frustrating. I could see Armstrong in acres of space and the whole of the crowd could too, I reckon but no-one of our team out on the pitch spotted him in space and that cost us. Decision making was the problem with the third and it feels like game over at that point.”
The Jags’ boss had no quarrels over the decision to rule out Sean Welsh’s header which would have brought his side within a goal of the visitors, had it stood.
“I’ve not had a chance to see it back but I asked Sean and he thought that he went a bit too early so it seems that the officials called that one right.”
Archie was, however, disappointed with Craig Thompson’s decision to book Ade Azeez for simulation when he ran in on goal.
“There was definitely contact. Ade’s an honest lad, he’s not one to go down and on first look I think we’ll be appealing the yellow card.”
The manager thinks that if the decision had gone Thistle’s way then they might have had a chance to get something from the game.
“It could have given us that extra bit of belief to go and get something but over the course of the game, we didn’t deserve it. Celtic were the better team today if we’re honest with ourselves.”
The Jags’ next match comes on Saturday the 17th of December at Tynecastle against Hearts, going back to a normal 3:00pm kick-off.
