Sunday 7th May, 2017 at 5:35pm
Alan Archibald’s Partick Thistle side were looking to take points from Rangers for the first time this season when the Gers visited Firhill this afternoon. The Jags had suffered three defeats in three games against their Glasgow rivals so far this campaign and would have been desperate to get something from today’s match but, ultimately, it wasn’t to be. Despite taking the lead through Kris Doolan early in the first half, the home side would go on to lose 2-1 after a brace of Rangers goals in the last 10 minutes scored by Barrie McKay and Joe Garner. The visibly dejected Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk following the final whistle to offer his opinion on the match.
After two late Rangers goals left his side with nothing for the second time this season, Archie admitted it was a very difficult result to take.
“It’s brutal. Especially after a good first half performance. I thought the first 15 minutes were frantic but after our goal, it settled down and we created some good opportunities that we maybe should have done better with. Since Christmas we’ve generally stopped conceding as many late goals but it seems to have creeped back in again.”
The gaffer also felt that his team deserved a draw at the very least in a game that neither side truly dominated.
“I thought we were comfortable for spells. In the second half, Rangers made changes, put more bodies forward and we dealt with that well for a long time. We were undone by the ‘keeper’s kick out. We didn’t deal with the first ball and they score from it. Our reaction following the goal was poor too. We looked tired and mentally weak towards the end today which was very disappointing.
“I think that we should have taken something today, without a doubt. When you compare the chances we created to theirs you’ll see that and they didn’t really cut us open, as I’ve said, their first goal came from a long ball which isn’t about tactics, it’s about concentration.”
The Jags boss was also unhappy with his team’s inability to finish Rangers off when they had the chance.
“That’s what got us over the line for the top six. Scoring goals at the right time like the Ross County game for example. We also defended properly in the games leading up to the split and today we weren’t clinical and our defending was poor when it mattered.”
Alan Archibald’s side return to action next Saturday as they travel to Perth to take on St. Johnstone. Kick-off for that game is at 15:00.
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Kris Doolan and Steven Lawless. Log in now to see it as soon as it is available.
Extended highlights of today’s match will be added at midnight and will be free to view for Jagzone subscribers.
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