Partick Thistle Archives

Partick Thistle 2-0 Livingston: Jags Make Statement Victory under Firhill Lights

Partick Thistle 2-0 Livingston Crawford (4′) MacPherson (43′ og) A first-half double sealed a crucial home win for Partick Thistle, sending them straight to the top of the Scottish Championship after a flawless start to the season. The hosts exploded into life after four minutes, keen to add to their opening-day victory over Morton. New signing Seb Drozd combined with the overlapping Ben MacPherson, whose low cross was expertly flicked home on the penalty spot by Robbie Crawford. The goal rewarded the Jags’ fast start, and sent a packed-out home section into a frenzy. Drozd and MacPherson were in the mood early on; the pair combined again moments later, before Drozd dragged wide with a left-footed effort. Glen Whelan cut a frustrated figure on the Livingston touchline; after conceding early, his side struggled to hold possession of the ball, and were wasteful in the final third. But the Lions would gradually embed themselves into proceedings; positive play down the right saw the ball drop to Scott Pittman on the edge of the midfield. With only one thought on his mind, the midfielder laced a right-footed effort off the crossbar, to the encouragement of the travelling faithful. Thistle burst into life in the 38th minute. A swift break saw Aiden Fitzpatrick drive at Livingston’s back line. The winger picked out the onrushing Oisin Smyth, whose curling shot was diverted wide by Jerome Prior. Fitzpatrick would double their advantage on the stroke of half-time. After a penalty box stramash, the winger’s low cross was diverted off Cammy MacPherson and snuck into Prior’s net. A stroke of luck perhaps, but the hosts deserved their half-time lead. As for Livingston, a huge second half awaited for Whelan. Whelan turned to his bench to introduce summer signing Bradly Van Hoeven. The tricky winger immediately looked lively, delivering a dangerous ball from the right-hand side that narrowly evaded Brooklyn Kabongolo. As Livingston searched for a route back into the match, the visitors pinched the ball from Smyth, allowing Babacar Fati to scuff a shot toward Liam McFarlane. The home faithful rose to their feet on the hour mark to welcome Ben Stanway. The 21-year-old midfielder has committed to another year at Firhill and should prove to be a key player for Mark Wilson this season. Liam Polworth and Droz both tested the opposition goalkeepers with speculative efforts before McFarlane collided with the post while backpedalling to deal with a cross for the hosts. Thistle pressed for a third goal around the 70-minute mark. Substitute Euan Henderson fired in a low cross that bounced off the post, and Letosa diverted the rebound over the bar as The Jags looked to kill off the game. Despite being second best, a 2-0 scoreline still offered a glimmer of hope for the visitors. Late in the game, Muirhead released Tyrese Sinclair into space in a dangerous area on the 80-minute mark, but Cale Loughrey stood his ground well to block the winger’s powerful effort. In the end, it was a statement victory for The Jags, who move top of the Championship with a deserved victory. Partick Thistle: McFarlane 8 McPherson 8 O’Reilly 8 Reading 8 Letsosa 9 Smyth 7 Drozd 9 Crawford 8 Fitzpatrick 8 Samuel 9 Substitutes: Henderson 7 Watt 7 Stanway 7Logan 7 Livingston: Prior 5 Doherty 5 Kabongolo 56 Robertson 4 Fati 4 Pittman 5 MacPherson 5 Palmer 4 Sinclair 5 Muirhead 5 Carey 5 Substitutes: Van Hoeven 4 Polworth 4 McGowan 4 Anderson 4

August 6, 2026

Budinauckas Shines in Shootout as Thistle Take Bonus Point at Livingston

Lewis Budinauckas saved three penalties for Partick Thistle who claimed the bonus point and remained top of Group E following a 1-1 draw with Livingston at The Home Of The Set Fare Arena on Saturday afternoon. Livingston took the lead in the 60th minute through Robbie Muirhead before Alex Samuel leveled the game for Thistle in the 80th minute. The first chance of the afternoon fell to the hosts in the opening few minutes, Stevie May won a free kick on the edge of the box after a good ball was played over the top by Robbie Muirhead. Summer signing Tyrese Sinclair would send in a low cross with Lewis Budinauckas in the Thistle goal comfortably gathering. From then onward the game seen very little quality from either side, despite Livingston having the better of the possession and looking a threat going forward. On the 25th minute, Robbie Muirhead forced the Thistle backline into losing the ball in a dangerous area, Muirhead picked out Cristian Montano who struck a powerful ball towards goal from range with a last ditch block clearing the ball away from danger. On the stroke of half time, Sam Culbert, Montano, May and Muirhead all combined excellently in the final third for Livingston before teeing up Stevie May who made a darting run into the box, but his effort was poor with Budinauckas collecting without any worry as the sides went into the interval level. Thistle had struggled to maintain the ball throughout the first 45 as Daniel O’Reilly came on to replace Lee Ashcroft for the second period. Livingston started the second half on the front foot and were inches away from netting a first goal of the afternoon in the 50th minute when Culbert fired a volley narrowly wide of goal. Moments afterwards, Montano latched onto another ball over the top as he met the out-rushing Budinauckas, who made himself big before Montano failed in an attempt to chip the ball over the Thistle goalkeeper. After sustained pressure from Livingston, they eventually opened the scoring on the hour mark. Tyrese Sinclair did well to win the ball back in the middle of the park before finding Muirhead who found the top corner with a brilliant strike from 25 yards out to put his side ahead. The visitors were still struggling to create any clear cut chances which forced them to make a triple attacking change after going behind, with Tsoanelo Letsosa, Seb Drozd and Alex Samuel all entering the field of play. Mark Wilson’s changes sparked a response from Thistle as they were level in the 80th minute, Oisin Smyth’s initial effort from a tight angle was pushed away by Jerome Prior before the rebound fell to the feet of Alex Samuel who reacted quickest to fire the ball high into the net and beyond Prior to bring his side on level terms. As the game entered the final ten minutes, both teams were unable to find a winner as the match went to a penalty shootout to determine who was awarded the bonus point. Lewis Budinauckas was the hero for Partick Thistle in the shootout, saving three penalties in a 3-2 victory. Next up for Livingston in the Premier Sports Cup is Forfar Athletic at home on Tuesday evening, whilst Partick Thistle face Stenhousemuir at Firhill the same evening.

July 18, 2026

“We Believe 100% That We Can Do It” – Tony Watt on Premiership Promotion Push

Partick Thistle striker Tony Watt has faith that he and his teammates will secure promotion to the Premiership on Monday night. The Maryhill club drew with St. Mirren 1-1 at Firhill in the first leg of the Premiership playoff, and go into the second leg on level terms thanks to a fantastic assist provided by Watt for Aidan Fitzpatrick’s equaliser. And the 32-year-old has taken belief from his side’s spirited second half performance that they can make Partick Thistle a Premiership team for the first time since 2018. “Yeah absolutely, we believe 100% that we can do it and I bet St. Mirren are the same.” Watt said post-match. “We showed a good account of ourselves second half, we changed the shape, we got a bit more control of the game and we’ve got 11 boys in the pitch, we’ve got a lot on the bench and we’ve got a coaching staff that know the game and can change it. “We were probably against the tide a wee bit in the first half and we changed it at half-time and I thought we were a better team second half.” Watt, who had a loan spell at St. Mirren in 2023, joined Mark Wilson’s side last summer and says that conversations with him from when he first signed gave him assurance that a promotion push was manageable. “I genuinely thought we could go and win the league when I was having conversations with the manager about signing. “I seen the squad and I knew he was going to sign and I know his budget was small but I knew he was going to work on a lot of stuff but nobody really gave us a chance. “Everybody kind of predicted us fifth, sixth, maybe even seventh, I think with all the turmoil behind the scenes at the club, and I think everybody’s chipped in, including the cup runs, including the league, including everything to help the club get to a better place. “Long may it continue, it’s a fantastic club, it deserves to be in a good place.” The former Scotland international has won the Premiership with Celtic and the Championship with Dundee United, but says earning promotion with Thistle could surpass both of those achievements. “I genuinely think number one, I think it would be probably the pinnacle. “I won the league at Celtic, who were my boyhood club, but Celtic were going to win the league that year, without me they’d have won it. “Dundee United was massive, I loved that, we were probably expected to win it but this year the expectation’s been on everybody else and we probably weren’t even tipped to be in the play-offs, “So look, it’s a straight shootout on Monday and we put ourselves in the race and it would probably be number one.”

May 22, 2026

Partick Thistle 1-1 St. Mirren: Playoff Remains in Balance After First Leg Spoils Shared

Partick Thistle came from a goal behind to earn a 1-1 draw against St. Mirren in the first leg of the Scottish Premiership promotion/relegation playoff at Firhill. It was the Paisley Saints first time in this playoff since they defeated Dundee United on penalties in 2019, and Thistle’s first time getting this far since the infamous trip to Dingwall in 2023 when they fell short to a Ross County comeback in the final 20 minutes of the tie. It leaves the tie with everything to play for going into Monday night’s fixture at the Smisa Stadium, which will be as raucous at the capacity crowd at the Wire Stadium this evening. Aidan Fitzpatrick attempted to capitalise on the electric home atmosphere inside the first ten minutes, cutting on to his right foot and causing the St. Mirren defender to slip. His curled effort though, just wide. Scotland international Allan Campbell seen his name in the back of the paper moments later when a Killian Phillips’, who had been deployed as a striker, chested ball fell to him at the edge of the box, but the midfielder sliced the volley as Josh Clarke watched it sail over his crossbar. Irishman Phillips had a big chance of his own on 21 minutes when he received the ball in space after a well-worked St. Mirren move, but his effort was deflected wide. And just three minutes later, Thistle fashioned a big chance of their own. Alex Samuel pounced on a slack header from Richard King and was just about to stab an effort towards goal. However, it was saved by Ross Sinclair and ricocheted back off of the Welsh forward, trickling wide. The deadlock would be broken six minutes before half time through for the visitors by makeshift forward Phillips. The 24-year-old received the ball from strike partner Mikael Mandron, and put it beyond Clarke with the outside of his right boot to give the Premiership side the 1-0 lead. The hosts had a glaring opportunity from a Fitzpatrick corner to pull level just before the interval as his in swinging ball landed to an unmarked Lee Ashcroft. The Thistle captain was unable to steer his header on target from six yards out, letting the Paisley opposition away with one. The second period certainly began more nervy than the first, with on loan St. Mirren goalkeeper almost gifting Fitzpatrick a goal had the 25-year-old been able to control his poor kick out inside the opening minute of the half. And seven minutes later, Clarke of the Jags’ net inexplicably lost the ball in a shoulder-to-shoulder with physical forward Mandron in his own penalty box. With the angle tight, the Frenchman found Campbell, but the former Motherwell man’s chip attempt came nowhere near scoring. Fitzpatrick would make reprieve himself a moment after the hour mark when he tapped the ball into an empty net thanks to Tony Watt’s hard-work to get the ball in from the right hand side. It is the sixth time the Scot has found the back of the net this season, bringing his side level to 1-1 at a point when tensions were beginning to rise amongst the Jackie Husband and John Lambie stands. And the Thistle academy graduate should really have been made provider with 12 minutes of play remaining, when his tantalising ball zipped passed everyone across the six-yard box, needing just a mere touch from anyone to put the Maryhill team ahead but there was nobody home. Partick hit the post in the final minute of injury time to give their guests a scare, but the linesman’s flag was up for offside. The Championship side have their biggest chance to earn promotion since their capitulation in Dingwall three years ago, this time only facing a short journey down the M8 for a return trip to the promised land. As for St. Mirren, they will be doing everything to ensure the do not tarnish their League Cup winning season with the blemish of relegation and maintain their Premiership status for a ninth consecutive season. PARTICK THISTLE: Clarke 5, Reading 6, Ashcroft 5, Samuel 7, Chalmers 3 (Lets’osa 46’ 3), Crawford 6, McBeth 4 (Turner 80’ 1), Fitzpatrick 9 (Mackay-Steven 88’ 1), Loughrey 5 , McPherson 4 (Logan 59’ 2), Watt 7 SAINT MIRREN: Sinclair 5, Tanser 5, King 3 (Richardson 70’ 1), O’Hara 4 (Douglas 64’ 2), Devaney 6, Mandron 6, Gogic 7, Campbell 7, Freckleton 6, Fraser 5, Phillips 8 (Idowu 77’ 2)

May 21, 2026

“If We’ve Any Chance of Progressing in the Play-offs, We Need to be Much Tighter as a Unit” – Mark Wilson

Partick Thistle manager Mark Wilson admits his side have to be stronger defensively if they are to win promotion to the Scottish Premiership in the play-offs. Thistle completed an unbeaten season at home for the time in 24 years last night with a 1-1 draw against Queen’s Park. However manager Wilson hopes that the performance level doesn’t creep into their play-off ties against either Dunfermline Athletic or Arbroath. He said: “I think everybody will have seen we’ve utilised these few games to get a couple of the boys, who were long-term injuries, up to speed. “I think that first half, that [goal] was the only good thing we did, but how many could we have been down? “From our point of view, there was no pressure on the ball, which is not what I’d planned. “I made it clear to the players that I wanted to go out on a high and I wanted to preserve this home record, which of course we’ve did, I’m really pleased at that. “That’s the most chances we’ve gave up all season, and I’m not talking about half chances, I’m talking real, clear-cut ones. “If we’ve any chance of progressing through the play-offs, we need to be much tighter as a unit.” The result meant that the Jags completed the Championship season undefeated at Firhill, and Wilson believes anything they can take this into these play-offs to their advantage. “When you look at us against Arbroath, we’ve failed to beat them this year. Dunfermline, we’ve sort of got the better of them. “But anything can happen in the play-offs and that’s why you have to rely on your home form. “We’ve been really strong here at Firhill. We don’t give up much when we come here in terms of chances. We’re relentless with our play and with our pressure. “But tonight was just a wee bit the opposite. But I suppose, if I look at it, I’d rather give up that many chances tonight than in the play-offs. So hopefully we’ve got it our system.” Thistle have drawn three times and lost once to Arbroath this season, whilst boasting a better record over Dunfermline with one draw and three victories. Wilson however, has no preferred opponent for the play-off semi-final. “I have no real preference at all, because I know how fraught and how unpredictable play-offs are. “You’re never quite sure what is going to happen. Obviously, all three side will be looking to roll out their best performances and maybe some of us will get that. “Arbroath have been stuffy, they’ve been hard to play against, we’ve maybe not taken our own opportunities when we should’ve. “I think Dunfermline, technically very, very good. And we’ve seen how successful a season they’ve had. They’ve got real danger, real threats. But I suppose in the games against Dunfermline, we’ve maybe been clinical when we’ve been on top in the game. “I’ll be a keen watcher of the games between them, and it’s a hard one to call, but I really wouldn’t have any preference and they’re all going to be tight games.”

May 2, 2026

Partick Thistle 1-1 Queen’s Park: Glasgow Derby Ends All Square

Partick Thistle completed the Championship season undefeated at home after a 1-1 draw with city neighbours Queen’s Park. It is the second draw between the sides in as many matches, with Queen’s Park ending the season with just one win from their last eight games. There was nothing to play for except pride for both sides in terms of the league table, with Thistle locked into second place and Queen’s Park knowing they were safe from relegation already. The away side came close to opening the scoring just over a minute in when Callum Smith’s cross was pounced upon by Michael Ruth. The striker’s header however, was brilliantly diverted by the leg of Josh Clarke. Queen’s Park goalkeeper Callum Ferrie made a fine stop of his own just minutes later, clawing a Logan Chalmers cross from deep off his goal-line which nearly caught him off guard. The hosts would take the lead on 25 minutes through their captain for the evening Tony Watt. Aidan Fitzpatrick floated an inviting ball in from left, and the veteran striker neatly nodded it on for his tenth goal of the season. Ferrie added to his personal highlight reel when he was at full stretch to deny Tony Watt’s venomous half-volley just before the hour mark to keep his side in the game. And five minutes later they had the chance to equalise from 12 yards after a mistimed challenge inside the box from Patrick Reading. Ruth stepped up, and sent Clarke the wrong way as he tucked it in bottom left. Momentum favoured Queen’s Park if any side was going to find a winner, but player preservation was key with Mark Wilson’s side knowing they have a play-off tie against either Dunfermline or Arbroath in less than two weeks. Both those sides coincidentally faced off tonight also in a goalless draw at East End Park. If Thistle can overcome either of those sides in a two-legged affair, they will reach the Premiership play-off final for the first time since 2023. PARTICK THISTLE: Clarke 7, Reading 5, Smyth 4 (Lets’osa 61’ 2), Samuel 4 (Taylor 61’ 2), Chalmers 7, Crawford 6, Ingram 3 (Logan 46’ 3), McBeth 5, Fitzpatrick 5 (Mackay-Steven 61’ 2), Loughrey 5, Watt 8 (Diack 75’ 1) QUEEN’S PARK: Ferrie 7, Fieldson 5, Longridge 6, Macgregor 5, Ruth 6 (McDonnell 90’), Connolly 5, McLean 4, Shiels 5, Mackenzie 5, Smith 6, Lamie 5

May 1, 2026

Gary Mackay-Steven Signs For Partick Thistle

Partick Thistle have announced the signing of Gary Mackay-Steven on a deal until the end of the season. The ex-Scotland international has been a free agent since leaving Championship strugglers Ross County last month. And Jags manager Mark Wilson believes the signing of his former teammate is a smart piece of business. He told club channels: “Gary is someone I played with at Dundee United and he has always been a supremely talented player. “I got in touch with him recently to find out what his situation was after leaving Ross County and he was very keen to come in and train. “We’re obviously a bit light on numbers at the moment, especially in the wide areas, and Gary represents a very useful option on the wing. “He’s been without a club for about six weeks so he’ll not be match sharp straight away but I can tell he’s eager to contribute as quickly.” Partick Thistle are just five points off leaders St Johnstone with six games of the Championship season remaining before the play-offs. The former Celtic and Aberdeen wide man could be in line for a debut as early as tomorrow evening at home to his previous side Ross County.

March 26, 2026

Points shared at Firhill: A 0-0 draw keeps St Johnstone eight-points clear

Simo Valakari’s side left Firhill with one point to keep them as strong favourites to lift the Scottish Championship come the end of the season. A strong start for St Johnstone gave them the first opportunity of the match, but Jamie Gullan’s effort sailed past Josh Clarke’s goal. A careless mistake from Thistle’s Ts’ oanelo Lets’ osa, in a dangerous position, saw Ruari Paton’s strike saved unconvincingly by Clarke. However, no Saints players were in the box to punish The Jags error. Just over halfway into the first half, Thistle applied some dangerous pressure. Many continued efforts in the box saw the St Johnstone backline and goalkeeper Toby Steward scrambling to get the ball to safety. The end of the first half lacked real quality, with no team testing either goalkeeper, as well as many missed placed passes on show. In the opening five minutes of the second half, Alex Samuel had an effort on Steward’s goal. However, the Englishman in The Saints’ goal was untested. In the 61st minute, Ruari Paton’s free-kick delivery sailed past everyone in the box, a slight touch would have certainly put the visitors ahead. However, again no one was in a dangerous enough position to capitalize. Just after, Reece McAlear had an effort from long distance, but it just fell wide of Clarke’s post. However, the pressure from Simo Valakari’s side was certainly mounting. Josh McPake had a great chance to open the scoring from close range, but a lack of clinical conviction saw it go wide. Partick Thistle then found some confidence, with Ben Stanway’s half volley which just sailed wide of The Saints’ post. A heart in mouth moment in the 86th minute for Toby Steward saw him slip just outside the 18-yard box, Ricco Diak must have thought it was a tap-in to win it. However, The Saints’ stopper was lucky enough to be able to get a toe onto the ball and clear it to safety. Alex Samuel’s great work effort saw Thistle awarded a corner in the dying minutes of the match. But the corner didn’t bring any last-minute hope for The Jags. A 0-0 draw at Firhill most likely suits St Johnstone. But Thistle have to play two fixtures in short sequence before The Saints play their next match, which may add some pressure to St Johnstone if Mark Wilson’s side are able to collect six points out of six. Partick Thistle: Clarke (7), McBeth (6), Ashcroft (7), Loughrey (6), McPherson (5), Crawford (6), Lets’ Osa (5), Reading (5), Fitzpatrick (5), Stanway (5), Samuel (7) Subs: Diak (4), Turner (4), Ingram (4) St. Johnstone: Steward (7), Smith (6), Baird (6), Diabate (6), Boyes (6), McAlear (6), Holt (5), Stanton (5), Gullan (6), McPake (5), Paton (6) Subs: Fowler (4)

March 21, 2026

Partick Thistle 0-0 Arbroath: Thistle Fall Behind in Championship Title Challenge

Partick Thistle lost ground in the Scottish Championship title race after drawing 0-0 with 3rd place Arbroath at Firhill. Both teams were reduced to ten men in the second half, paving the way for leaders St. Johnstone to extend their lead at the top to five points. The first half offered very little for either set of fans to get excited about. Aidan Fitzpatrick found space down the right flank around 17 minutes in, but the Thistle winger’s zipped cross was diverted behind for a corner. Striker Tony Watt fashioned an opportunity for himself just two minutes later after receiving the ball just outside the box from Ts’oanelo Lets’osa, but the veteran’s effort was easily saved amid defensive pressure. Arbroath rarely threatened in the opening 45, with Ryan Dow going down inside the area looking for a penalty being the only time Josh Clarke in the home net may be getting troubled. The visitors would have a player advantage just before and hour had been played when Thistle’s Daniel O’Reilly received a straight red card for a high challenge on Arbroath’s Harry Cochrane. Yet it would be the hosts who came closest to breaking the deadlock with around twenty minutes to go. Fitzpatrick, who moved over to the left for the second half, burst onto a through ball in the box and cut in onto his favoured right foot. His drilled shot was deflected wide for a corner, and the contest remained goalless. Clarke kept his clean sheet intact with a fine catch inside the final fifteen minutes of action, keeping Arbroath captain Thomas O’Brien’s header from six yards out from a corner kick. And if that save wasn’t good enough, he produced an even better one with seven minutes to go. Scott Stewart put it on a plate for Findlay Marshall after a weaving run wide right, but the Aberdeen loanee’s shot was fantastically tipped over by the 21-year-old. The number of players were levelled a minute later as Thistle went on an attack of their own. O’Brien of Arbroath brought Alex Samuel down outside the box, and was given his marching orders after being deemed the last man. Ben Stanway struck the bar from the awarded free-kick. And it was as though the deadlock was never meant to be broken, with Oisin Smyth cannoning a second effort off of the crossbar from a similar position in added time. The stalemate means Thistle fall further behind St. Johnstone in the title race, with the Perth side seeing of Ayr 3-1. They can stretch the 5 point lead to 8 this weekend, with the Jags in Scottish Cup quarter-final away to St. Mirren on Sunday. As for Arbroath, they remain comfortable in 3rd place, but have no time for respite as they host Scott Brown’s aforementioned Ayr United who will be hungry to bounce back to winning ways as the fight for the promotion places heats up. PARTICK THISTLE: Clarke 8, Reading 3 (Loughrey 60’ 2), Ashcroft 4, Smyth 5, Samuel 6, Crawford 2 (Chalmers 46’ 2), McBeth 2 (Ingram 46’ 3 ), O’Reilly 3, Fitzpatrick 5 (Turner 77’ 1), Watt 4, Lets’osa 4 (Stanway 60’ 4) ARBROATH: McAdams 5, Wilkie 5, O’Brien 4, Muirhead 3 (Lang 69’ 2 ), Flynn 6, Reilly 5 (Beadling 77’ 1 ), Dow 5, Watson 5, Marshall 4 (Mebude 84’ 1), Nesbitt 5 (Stewart 69 3’), Cochrane 6 (Robinson 77’ 1)

February 28, 2026

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

Partick Thistle boss Mark Wilson 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