Partick Thistle Archives

I want to keep him here as long as possible – Wilson Praises Stanway Impact

Partick Thistle boss feels the club is “pulling together” after the Jags celebrated their 150th anniversary with victory over Airdrieonians at Firhill. The scoreline looks narrow, but doesn’t reflect the Thistle’s domination in the match. Wilson praised his glowing side for delivering a “great three points”. “You just get games sometimes, you’re more anxious than others, and having been at the St Johnstone game the other week and seeing how good Airdrie are, and how many problems they can cause you, it’s important that we were spot on with a lot of space today I thought after the first few minutes, we got to grips and caused them a lot of problems, it is a great three points, a great goal to win it, and puts us in a decent position.” Wilson won four SPL titles at Celtic during a stellar playing career and understands the importance of grinding out results. He believes his side have put themselve in a great position. “I’ve been in a few [title races], you can’t win them all comfortably, especially when it gets to this time of the year, you maybe trade performances levels and sparkling football for actual results, so at this point we take that all day long, when it gets into the brighter, nicer weather, you might see better products on the pitch. “We had good opportunities that we could have made that a whole lot more comfortable, but really pleased because Airdrie are a good side, I know they are at the wrong end of the table, but they have good players, and they’ll cause teams problems.” “St Johnstone have always been in there with the big advantage, and at one stage, people were right to say that they could run away with it, with the games in hand, could have gone eight clear, but we’ve just kept chipping away. “I don’t think we’ve ever been ahead of ourselves in what we are trying to achieve here, but going into March, we’ve put ourselves in a really good position against a really good St Johnstone team, and over our shoulders as well, Arbroath are right there as well. So we are still in a fight, we are looking both ways, but hopefully performances and the resilience we’ve built in our team take us up the way rather than looking over our shoulders.” Wilson admits he has always felt a quiet confidence in his side, but with another tough encounter against Dunfermline on Tuesday, he will not allow his side to get carried away. “I have for a long time, we try to build the team, the old saying, mix of experience and youth, and I think we’ve got that, we really know how to battle out performances, near the end it was about managing our the game and with young players in your team you can sometimes get away from that but ovbiously the experienced ones dig in.” “We’ve got another big one on Tuesday night, another difficult one. This league has shown me that you can go anywhere and lose on any given night, so we will rest up tonight, very light tomorrow, and back in Monday morning.” Ben Stanway celebrated his 100th game with the winning goal for Wilson’s side. The manager appreciates the academy graduate’s hard work in the summer, which has snowballed into the latest campaign. “I came in a year ago, and Stanners was frustrated with his game time; he was in and out, but he played a big part in the playoffs for us.” “What he did do is go away in the summer and worked himself, a great lesson for any young kid. He comes back really fit and he fits into the style of play that we want. “Alex Rae spends a whole lot of time with him, and that isn’t just by coincidence; the amount of time that kid spends on the pitch practising that, and the fine detail of where to put it. Alex, as the coach takes credit, but the player has to carry it out. “I have no doubt Ben will go to higher things, but of course I want to keep him here as long as possible.”

February 22, 2026

Partick Thistle 1-0 Airdrieonians: Jags close gap on league leaders after dominant victory

Partick Thistle 1-0 Airdrieonians Stanway (23′) Ben Stanway’s first-half free kick was the difference for Partick Thistle, as they closed the gap on St Johnstone to three points. After league leaders St Johnstone’s goalless draw in Kirkcaldy, Mark Wilson’s side knew the gap at the top of the table could be cut to three points with victory over relegation-threatened Airdrie. The visitors settled well, but the Jags played like a side determined to close the gap. They produced the first major chance on the 10-minute mark, as Alex Samuel headed Logan Chalmer’s cross off the far post. The ball deflected into the six-yard box, and Airdrie scrambled clear. The visitors struggled to deal with Thistle, who seized control. Ts’oanelo Lets’osa drove at the backline in the 20th minute, the ball found its way to Patrick Reading, whose shot deflected away from Harry Stone’s net. Thistle deservedly opened the scoring three minutes later, after Jamie Barjonas hauled Tony Watt down on the edge of the box, Ben Stanway delivered a rasping free-kick into the top right corner. The goal warranted the Jags’ relentless pressure and closed the gap on St Johnstone at the summit of the Scottish Championship. Oisin Smyth forced a low save from Stone moments later, as they looked to turn the screw. Stone produced a brilliant one-handed save to deny Let’sosa, who raced onto Tony Watt’s forward ball, and fired a left-footed strike high towards the goal. Lee Ashcroft headed wide from close range after the resulting corner. Wilson would have been pleased with his side’s response following a pedestrian opening ten minutes. The only negative was that they didn’t score more chances. Airdrie worked their best chance on the stroke of halftime. After breaking over the halfway line, Dylan MacDonald found space on the right-hand side of the box. With only Clarke to beat, the defender sliced his strike behind and perhaps should have done better. The rain began to pour in Glasgow’s West End, but the hosts picked up where they left off from the first period. Stone produced another tremendous one-handed save to deny Smyth from the edge of the box. The Northern Irish midfielder’s curling effort looked set to find the top right corner, but once again, Stone kept his toiling side in the game. Substitute Aidan Fitzpatrick burst into the game in the 64th minute and showcased electric pace, evading several white and red jerseys. His back post cross found Watt at the back post, but the striker could not divert the cross on target. Despite dominating the game, the hosts knew that a second goal would be pivotal for killing off any hope of an Airdrie comeback. Wilson withdrew goalscorer Stanway to a standing ovation with twenty minutes to play. The academy graduate produced an outstanding performance from midfield and may merit a Premiership move come the summer. Fitzpatrick threatened again with ten minutes to play, a whipped cross to the back post found the onrushing Daniel O’Reilly, who could only volley over from close range. The hosts closed out the game, reducing the gap at the top of the table to three points. It may have been an uncomfortable scoreline for Wilson to endure, but the victory was all that mattered. Airdrie remain in ninth, all in all, it was an afternoon to forget for the dismal diamonds. Partick Thistle: Clarke 6 Reading 6 Ashcroft 6 Smyth 6 Samuel 6 Chalmers 7 (56’) O’Reilly 6 McPherson 6 Stanway 8 (67’) Watt 6 Lets’osa 7 (83’) Substitutes: Fitzpatrick 6 (56’) Crawford 6 (67’) Turner 4 (83’) Airdrieonians: Stone 6 MacDonald 6 Strapp 6 McMaster 6 Mochrie 5 (79’)Henderson 6 McArthur 6 Thomas 6 (58’) Ross 6 McGrattan 5 (79’) Barjonas 4 (58’) Substitutes: Gallagher 6 (58’) McKinnon 6 (58’) Telfer 3 (79’) Mahon 3 (79’) Attendance: 3984

February 21, 2026

St Johnstone 2-2 Partick Thistle: Fans Verdict.

Entertaining game, not much in it, both sides were good to watch.”– St Johnstone and Partick Thistle supporters react to dramatic draw in Perth. St Johnstone fans. Sean Hamilton: “Genuinely haunted by the cheapness of the goals St Johnstone gave away last night. McAlear’s lack of urgency in claiming the ball before the first was shocking. Fotheringham is hopelessly casual ahead of the second. Diabate can’t have his hands all over his attacker in the box. Too many self-inflicted goals being lost through a lack of urgency and poor decision making. Players need a shake. The stakes are too high to be so careless. Oh… and Josh Fowler has to start from now on.” Andrew Johnston: “To go 5 clean sheets in a row and then concede 3 goals entirely of our own making is so frustrating. Nobody said it would be easy, but why do we have to make it so hard?” John Clunie: “Sickening but onwards and upwards, still top game in hand let’s do this.” Lee Kelman: “Poor first half, brilliant 2nd half. Just needed to be smarter in last moments of the game. Still 2 points clear with a game in hand.” Partick Thistle fans. Gazman_85: “That was a great point in the end. Thought we played well especially in the first half. 2nd half St. Johnstone the better team but I’m loving this never say die attitude from this team. Not out of this yet.” loyaljag: “The game plan was executed perfectly in first half but you’re always going to be under pressure in second half. Overall it was only one bit of quality that undid us despite playing with backs to wall. These players can never be written off though.” PTFC Updates: “Tony Watt & Alex Samuel, what a partnership! 2 of the league’s best strikers playing for the same team. Tony’s run for the first goal and constant physical battle, showed his class tonight. And Alex Samuel, wonderful as ever, a real physical and goal-scoring threat for us.” Jilly Stevo: “Entertaining game, not much in it, both sides were good to watch. A point each seems right but it feels like a win after being so close to defeat. Brilliant last gasp penalty under huge pressure. Proud of the whole team, they defended well and attacked well and looked totally different to the side I watched at McDiarmid Park on day 1.”

January 31, 2026

St Johnstone vs Partick Thistle – Match Report

League leaders St Johnstone take on 2nd place Partick Thistle in a huge game at McDiarmid Park. The visitors nearly got off to the perfect start. Samuel did well to get into a shooting position, but his low effort hit the side-netting. Crawford spotted Samuel in plenty of space inside the St Johnstone box, but could not find the Jags number 9, however, the ball found its way to Watt, who cut inside onto his right foot, but his shot was straight at Steward. McPake found Gullan inside the Partick Thistle box, who flicked it onto Holt, whose effort from inside the box was well blocked. Agyeman found space outside the box and had a go, but his powerful effort was straight at Clarke, who kept hold. Crawford found himself with space inside the box, but his shot was well blocked by Mikulic, who slid in to deny the midfielder. Gullan found Forrester who found space to cross, with blue shirts in the middle, but his cross was headed out for a corner. From the resulting corner, the ball fell to McAlear, whose shot from outside the area was tipped over the top by Clarke. With under 5 minutes to go until half time, the Jags broke the deadlock. Striker Watt was first to a 50/50 following a St Johnstone corner. Watt then raced up the pitch and found himself up against Holt, who he got past with ease, and squared the ball to Smyth, who slotted home from close range. Into the second period, St Johnstone found the leveller. Gullan’s corner eventually found its way to Agyeman, who found himself with the ball inside the area with his back to goal, and found the net via a deflection, to give him his first goal for St Johnstone. Forrester found space outside the box and had a go, but his right footed effort went narrowly past the post. Watt found Smyth with a lofted pass, which keeper Steward came rushing out for and got to, to deny the Jags’ number 8. Gullan’s cross resulted in a goalmouth scramble inside the Partick Thistle box, which was stopped by the referee after Clarke collected. Agyeman worked the ball onto his right foot and had a shot, but his strike was palmed away by Clarke. With just over 25 minutes of normal time remaining, McPake put St Johnstone in front. The winger received the ball from Gullan, then cut inside onto his right foot and found the bottom corner. Agyeman found space and whipped in a dangerous cross, which was just beyond the reach of Fowler. Agyeman worked the ball onto his right foot and had a shot from inside the area, which was well saved by Clarke at his near post. Into the final minute of stoppage time, Partick Thistle were awarded a penalty after Samuel was brought down by defender Diabate. Smyth stepped up and found the bottom corner to rescue the Jags a point right at the death. A quite incredible ending to an incredible game at McDiarmid Park. As a result, St Johnstone remain 2 points clear at the top of the Championship with a game in hand. St Johnstone: Steward (5), Forrester (6), Diabate (3), Mikulic (5), Boyes (6), Holt (6), McAlear (5), Stanton (5), Gullan (7), McPake (8), Agyeman (8) Substitutes: Fowler (7), Baird (6), Fotheringham (6), Griffith (6) Partick Thistle: Clarke (6), McPherson (6), McBeth (6), Ashcroft (6), O’Reilly (6), Reading (6), Crawford (6), Smyth (10), Stanway (6), Watt (8), Samuel (7) Substitutes: Loughrey (6), Chalmers (6), Taylor (6)

January 30, 2026

St Johnstone vs Partick Thistle – Match Preview

St Johnstone host Partick Thistle in a 6-pointer at the top of the Championship. The last meeting between these sides finished 2-1 to Partick Thistle. O’Reilly and Watt scored first half goals for The Jags. Into the second period, McPake scored a consolation goal for The Saints. In the previous meeting between these sides at McDiarmid Park, St Johnstone won 5-1. Reading opened the scoring for Partick Thistle, but goals from Gullan, a hat trick from McPake and a late Strike from Mallan saw the Saints pick up an emphatic home win. In their last outing, St Johnstone lost 1-0 at home to Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline. The defeat saw their unbeaten home record in the league come to an end after 11 games. In their last outing, Partick Thistle beat Scott Brown’s Ayr United at Firhill. Mark Wilson’s men raced into a 2-goal lead with 2 quickfire goals from Chalmers and Samuel, to put themselves in a commanding position after 15 minutes. Main scored on the hour mark, but it only turned out to be a consolation for The Honest Men. As a result, Partick Thistle now sit only 2 points off the top, setting up a mouthwatering clash at McDiarmid Park on Friday night. The Glasgow outfit have been poor on their travels, only picking up 13 points from a possible 33 on the road, in the league. Compared to their home record, where they have picked up 30 points, winning 9 and drawing 3. These 2 sides are the highest scoring sides in the division. The Saints have scored 43 in 22 matches, while The Jags have found the net on 35 occasions, 6 above Dunfermline Athletic who sit 3rd in the goal scoring charts. St Johnstone duo McPake and Gullan lead the combined goals and assists tally in the Championship, with 15 and 14 separately. Partick Thistle forward Chalmers sits in 3rd with 12 combined goals and assists. Simo Valakari ahead of St Johnstone’s huge clash against Partick Thistle: “Another big one, another big one, and of course, again, a big big challenge for us and a game we want to play, because, if you want to call it, they are our ‘direct opponent’, they are right behind us, they are chasing us”, The Saints manager stated. “We saw it last week, how tight these games are when you play against the top teams and we know tomorrow night we need to be close to our best to get something out of the game, but it’s the same for them”. Luke McBeth ahead of Partick Thistle’s clash against St Johnstone: “Really looking forward to it, obviously a massive game, so everyone’s up for it and just excited to get going”, he stated. On what aspects in the last couple of games they are looking to carry going into Friday night’s clash: “I think just being solid, trying not to concede. Obviously, they’ve got a lot of threats, but so do we, so think just playing our own, kind of knowing what they’re good at, but also getting up after the ball when we’ve got it.”

January 29, 2026

Partick Thistle Continue Push For Automatic Promotion After 2-1 Win Over Ayr United

Alex Samuel’s first half header earned Mark Wilson’s Partick Thistle a vital three points in the fight for the title as they defeated Scott Brown’s Ayr United 2-1. The match started slow, but with 12 minutes on the clock, former Ayr United player Logan Chalmers opened the scoring for the hosts after Kevin Holt failed to intercept Patrick Reading’s through ball. That wasn’t the end of the drama, as just two minutes later, Thistle’s continued pressure on Ayr saw Luke McBeth’s cross find Alex Samuel’s head and fall into the bottom left of Liam Russell’s net. Ayr United’s first half went from bad to worse, Leon King’s foul on Alex Samuel in the penalty area on the 19th minute saw referee Grant Irvine point to the spot. Chalmer’s stepped up to the penalty spot hoping to get his second of the match, however his effort down the middle was saved by the leg of goalkeeper Russell. The penalty save brought some hope for Scott Brown’s side, as his squad started to take the game to the Jags. Ben Dempsey’s effort on the 21st minute deflected by the post of Josh Clarke’s goal and earned The Honest Men a corner which they failed to capitalise on. Ayr United looked more comfortable for the remainder of the second half creating some well worked plays but failing to cause Thistle’s Clarke any problems. Ayr’s manager Scott Brown was shown yellow for dissent on the 35th minute, mostly out of frustration after his side’s poor first half performance. Ayr United almost found away back into the game late into the first half, their best chance of the game comes from a cross from Scott McMann and lands on Anton Dowds head, but his effort hits the side netting of Josh Clarke’s goal. A tactical substitution for Scott Brown saw Jude Bonnar being replaced by striker Curtis Main in a hope to get something from the game. And it was almost a dream start to the half for Ayr when Kevin Holt’s header looked goal bound, but it was blocked off the line by Thistle captain Lee Ashcroft. Partick Thistle almost extended their lead to 3, after Ben Stanway’s cross almost sneaked a way into the back of the net but was tipped over the bar by Liam Russel. Substitute Curtis Main got one back for the visitors on the hour mark after George Finney’s rocket was blocked and the striker was there to pounce on the rebound and find the top right corner. 72 minutes in Lee Ashcroft’s header was saved well by Russel, and moments later he was needed at the other end of the field to hold off Anton Dowds in a one-on-one battle near the Thistle goal. In the 79th minute, Alex Samuel’s original chance turned into a catalogue of blocked efforts from the Ayr United defence to keep themselves in the match. George Oakley’s burst of pace found him in a good position wit just two minutes remaining, but his powerful effort was parried away by Josh Clarke. In the dying moments of the match, Scott Brown’s continued dissent was punished with a red card, which really summed up Ayr United’s afternoon. Results elsewhere give Partick Thistle the chance to go top of the league by a point this Friday if they win away to current leaders St. Johnstone, after they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Dunfermline Athletic at McDiarmid Park. As for Ayr United, their next outing is also away to St. Johnstone as they travel to Perth on Tuesday in the Scottish Challenge Cup. The aforementioned defeat to the Saints and subsequent Dunfermline victory means Neil Lennon’s side have leapfrogged them into the play-offs on goal difference.

January 24, 2026

Partick Thistle level on points with St Johnstone after defeating Dunfermline

Partick Thistle 1-0 Dunfermline – The Pars are level (Fitzpatrick 25’) Partick Thistle pulled level with St Johnstone at the top of the Scottish Championship after a 1-0 win at home against Dunfermline. The sides last met in September, a game that ended in a 2-0 win for the Pars, who kept a clean sheet that day. This time, though, Thistle came out on top. The Maryhill side started strong and after just three minutes, Tsoanelo Letsoalo tried his luck with a strike from outside the box, but Billy Terrell was ready and held the shot in the centre of his goal. Lennon’s men grew into the game and had their first real chance after 11 minutes. Charlie Gilmour lined up a shot from range, but it went over the bar. The only goal of the match came in the 25th minute. Aiden Fitzpatrick picked up the ball outside the box and provided a right footed shot into the bottom right corner. It was the midfielder’s second goal of the season, his first coming in August in a 3-1 win over Raith Rovers. Dunfermline pushed for a way back into the game in the second half, but Thistle stayed firm at the back. The win moves Wilson’s side level with St Johnstone at the top of the table on 34 points. Dunfermline remain 5th with 22 points as they look to bounce back next week

November 25, 2025

Gary Holt Announced as New Partick Thistle Women’s Manager

Gary Holt has been appointed as the new manager of Partick Thistle Women. The former Livingston boss replaces David Elliot, who stepped down from the role today after taking the role in June, following the departure of Brian Graham who left to continue his playing career. Thistle sit 9th in the SWPL 1, and are five points above bottom placed Hamilton Academical, and marks Holt’s first job back in football since a spell as Falkirk’s football director from 2021-2022. In a club statement, Thistle Women’s CEO Caroline Mackie said: “We’re delighted to welcome Gary to the football club. His experience and coaching record speaks for themselves. His enthusiasm to drive this club forward and develop players was clear to see from the very first conversation we had with him. “We look forward to working and supporting him as much as we can as he leads the club forward.” Holt’s first match in charge is at home to Aberdeen this Sunday.

November 11, 2025

Airdrieonians 1-1 Partick Thistle: Last Minute Goal Snatches Draw for Jags

Airdrieonians 1-1 Partick Thistle Henderson (70′) Smyth (90+4′) An injury-time Oisin Smyth strike confirmed a point for Mark Wilson’s Partick Thistle at The Albert Bartlett Stadium. Airdrieonians sit bottom of the Scottish Championship, but took an unlikely lead thanks to Euan Henderson. A long throw reached the attacker at the back post, and his low strike nestled into Josh Clarke’s net to the delight of the home support. Thistle hit back in the 94th minute to steal a point. Smyth’s strike agonisingly squirmed through Cade Melrose’s grasp in the Airdrie goal, an unfortunate moment for the young goalkeeper. The point leaves Airdrie two points adrift at the bottom of the Scottish Championship, with just one win in fourteen championship matches. Partick Thistle remain in second place, and could drop five points behind St Johnstone following their trip to Dunfermline. Airdrieonians: Melrose, McKinnon, Wilson, McGinty, Strapp, McMaster, McGrattan, Barjonas, Gallagher, Henderson, Mochrie. Substitutes: McNeil, McStravick, Xavier-Jones, Ross, Cooper, D. Williams, C. Williams, Hastie, Chisholm. Partick Thistle: Clarke, McPherson, McBeth, O’Reilly, Reading, Smyth, Chalmers, Turner, Letsosa, Fitzpatrick, Watt. Substitutes: Budinauckas, Logan, Samuel, Lawless, McArdle, Campbell, Dolan, Gray

November 8, 2025

Thistle Keep Pressure on Saints After Glasgow Derby Heroics

Partick Thistle reign supreme in the Scottish Championship’s Glasgow Derby, destroying local rivals Queen’s Park 5-0 at Firhill Stadium. First half goals from Patrick Reading and Ben Stanway put Mark Wilson’s side ahead at the break, before three goals in the last fifteen minutes from Tsoanelo Letsosa, Logan Chalmers and Luke McBeth completed a derby day rout for the Jags. The result brings Thistle back to winning ways following a defeat last week to Raith, and keeps them only three points behind league leaders St. Johnstone. Patrick Reading got his first goal since the opening day of the season just after quarter of an hour played. A well worked free-kick routine seen Ben Stanway lay him off from the edge of the box, and the left-back unleashed a thunderbolt into the bottom right corner from all of 25 yards out to give Thistle the lead. Play was stopped for about ten minutes 24 minutes in due to a horror injury for Queen’s Park’s Charlie Fox. The centre half collided with Tony Watt on the touchline, and the Englishman was unable to get back to his feet. The referee rightly waved play on, but in a commendable act of good sportsmanship, Watt pleaded for play to be paused for Fox to receive treatment as quickly as possible. The game was halted, and Queen’s Park man was applauded by both sets of fans as he was stretchered off. The home side were able to get that two goal cushion deep into the added time provided from this lengthy stoppage. The ball broke to Ben Stanway, who, not one to be outdone by his teammate Reading, took aim from 20 yards and curled the ball into the top right corner in the final minute of the ten added on. The next goal in the second period was of upmost importance and the away side came agonisingly close to getting this and pulling themselves back into the game with 25 minutes to go. Tyrece McDonnell had an effort tipped over the bar, and from the resultant corner, he had a half volley cannon off the crossbar from the edge of the box. But the third goal of the contest would go Partick Thistle’s way. With just fifteen minutes to play, midfielder Tsoanelo Letsosa put a low ball in from the right hand side, and Logan Chalmers had the easy job of firing it beyond Callum Ferrie to make it 3-0. And just two minutes later, Chalmers turned architect for Letsosa. The winger created space on the left wing, and fizzed a ball across for the 21 year-old to get his name on the scoresheet for second time this campaign. There was time for a fifth to complete the rout. Jags’ Luke McBeth got his head on a cross with the last kick of the game to make it 5-0 as Hawaii Five-0 rang out on the Firhill speakers. Thistle remain second, just three points off leaders St. Johnstone. The Jags travel to bottom of the league Airdrie on Friday night in an aim to reduce the gap to zero, for less than a day at least. As for Queen’s Park, they are looking to end their winless run at home to Barry Robson’ s Raith Rovers on next Saturday but will be without Charlie Fox who has started every game for the Spiders so far this term. PARTICK THISTLE: Clarke 5, Reading 8, O’Reilly 7, McBeth 6, McPherson 5 (Logan 78’ 1), Smyth 6, Fitzpatrick 5 (Lawless 68’ 2), Letsosa 7 (McArdle 78’ 1), Stanway 6 (Turner 46’ 5), Chalmers 8, Watt 6 (Samuel 68’ 2) QUEEN’S PARK: Ferrie 6, Pignatiello 4, Murray 4, Fox 2 (Friel 4 32’), Shiels 4, Savoury 5 (Sowa 82’ 1) Longridge 4, Connolly 4, Drozd 3 (McDonnell 62’ 4), McLean 5 (Carrick 62’ 2) Fowler 5 (Waugh 82’ 1)

November 1, 2025

Partick Thistle