Keown hoping to keep buzz

Friday 17th February, 2017 at 12:54pm

Niall Keown is hoping to keep the buzz around Firhill after the Scottish Cup victory against St Johnstone.

The defender is looking for all three points as Hamilton come calling in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Speaking to ptfc.co.uk he said: “We are looking forward to the game, we know it’s a very big game. We go into every game thinking they are important but when you are facing a side around you in the league, at this time in the season then it is important you get the win. It can make a massive difference to your league position.

“We know the fixtures are that if we manage to get all three points then it could make a big difference in the league table. We feel that the fixtures are such that we are able to put a run of wins together and that would help us towards that top six place.”

After a few bad results Thistle recorded a victory on Perth last Saturday and Keown hopes to build upon that result and performance.

“We had a very good win against St Johnstone in the cup and we want to bring that into the league to give us confidence, a win like that is always great. We had a number of players out injured and players playing in different positions. We worked hard as a team. We scored early but saw the game out and kept a clean sheet. We want to take that defensive form into the Hamilton game now. As a defender you always want to keep a clean sheet, Saturday showed how keeping a clean sheet, you then only need a goal to win the game.”

Hamilton needed 120 minutes and penalties to overcome Dunfermline after a replay in the cup midweek and Niall is hoping Thistle can use that to their advantage.

“Hamilton played during the week and got taken into extra time. They will be tired after that which could give us an edge but only if we take advantage of it and make them work. We know what we are going to get from Hamilton, they will be up for it, they will make it as difficult as possible for us. They will be in our face and be aggressive so we have to play our football, make sure we perform and put everything into the game. We will make sure we are ready.”

The on-loan Reading defender is hoping to give the fans some more to shout about with a home win.

“We’ve maybe not had the best home record this season but we want to give the home fans something to cheer about. They always support us and the fans spend a lot of time and money to support us so we want to give back and send them away happy on Saturday. We just have to look forward and concentrate on winning this game.”

Keown has been at Firhill for just over a month now and feels he is settling in well.

“I’m really enjoying my time here, I’ve settled in quickly, the management, staff and the squad have been great. I feel I’ve done well and adapted to a few different formations. The manager always has us well prepared and we know our roles and what we should be doing do you always go out confident in yourself and the team.”

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