Partick Thistle

“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.”

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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

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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.”

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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

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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.”

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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)

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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.”

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