Match Preview | Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle versus MORTON
Tuesday 17 July 2018
The Energy Check Stadium, Glasgow
Kick-off 7.45pm
Scene Setter
Morton will be aiming to rekindle their Betfred Cup Group E hopes by claiming a positive result against Partick Thistle at the Energy Check Stadium tonight.
Ray McKinnon’s tenure as Ton boss looked to have got off to a promising start after Michael Tidser fired his new-look side in front against Ayr United on Saturday.
A second-half Lawrence Shankland hat-trick turned the game on its head, however, and saw the Sinclair Street side slip to an opening day defeat against the Honest Men.
They face Alan Archibald’s recently-relegated Jags tonight in what is both their second successive away fixture and the game they would likely have expected to be their stiffest test in the section.
McKinnon’s squad remains a work in progress, as demonstrated by today’s acquisition of Reghan Tumilty, but they will require a significant improvement on Saturday’s display if they are to get points on the board this evening.
Gaffer’s Thoughts
Ray McKinnon: “It will be another tough test away from home, back to back away games for us. They are a Premier League side who have come down.
“But it’s a game we’re looking forward to, and we’ll probably try a new formation and have a look at different partnerships and pairings – the right-winger and the right-back for instance – and their chemistry for the season ahead.
“I wasn’t despondent on Saturday; I thought the last 20 minutes painted the wrong picture of the game. We lost two poor goals, very, very avoidable goals, let’s be honest.
“In terms of recovery, we have a few aches and pains, and it’s a quick turnaround, but we’ll just have to get on with it. It’s a game we’re looking forward to.”
Team News
Denny Johnstone (knee) and Robert Thomson (hernia) are out until August, while Kerr Waddell is doubtful after suffering a recurrence of a recent ankle injury at Ayr United on Saturday. Reghan Tumilty is eligible.
Morton Milestones
1 – Reghan Tumilty could make his first appearance for the club.
Current Connections
After seven seasons of service at Cappielow and over 200 appearances, defender Thomas O’Ware moved to Partick Thistle earlier this summer.
Goalkeeper Ryan Scully headed in the opposite direction, signing a one-year contract with the Ton following a decade with the Firhill outfit.
Partick Thistle assistant manager Scott Paterson enjoyed a successful if short stint here at Cappielow as a player, impressing over the 11 appearances made in the closing months of the 2000/01 season.
Head to Head
Wed 26 Dec 2012: Partick Thistle 1-2 Morton (First Division)
Sat 16 Feb 2013: Morton 2-2 Partick Thistle (First Division)
Wed 10 Apr 2013: Partick Thistle 1-0 Morton (First Division)
Tue 26 Aug 2014: Morton 0-1 Partick Thistle (League Cup)
Last Time Round
A Kris Doolan goal in first-half stoppage time was enough to send then-Premiership Partick Thistle through to the third round of the Betfred Cup at Cappielow.
Officials
Referee: Kevin Clancy
Assistant one: Graeme Leslie
Assistant two: Ross Macleod
Fan File
Entry is pay at the gate. Admission prices are:
Adults: £12
Concession (Over 65, Student, and Under 18s): £6
Morton fans will be housed in the Colin Weir Stand and enter vua turnstile numbers 17 – 19. Cash entry and ticket will be issued on entry.
Fans under the influence of alcohol will not be admitted to the stadium and are liable to arrest. All bags will be searched with random persons searching undertaken.
Surfing flags are not permitted and any other flags will be checked to ensure that they are not offensive or derogatory. Partick Thistle have a policy on unacceptable conduct and behaviour which will be fully enforced.
Please note, Partick Thistle will allow a drum into the stadium. It must be presented to a steward for inspection prior to entry.
If the use of the drum is causing a disturbance and affecting fan behaviour then it will be removed from the individual until the end of the match.
Travel
By Road: Partick Thistle Football Club, Firhill Stadium, 80 Firhill Road, Glasgow, G20 7AL
A8 – M8 – exit Junction 17 for A82 – keep to left fork A81 Aberfoyle – turn right at traffic lights on to St Georges Road A804 – left on to Garscube Road A81 towards the stadium. There are other routes to the stadium, please check Google maps for further information.
By Rail: Greenock – Glasgow Central. It is then quicker to walk to St Enoch or Buchanan Street underground and take the subway to St George’s Cross or Kelvinbridge. They are both a 10 to 15 minute walk to the stadium.
Parking
Car parking: On-street parking available at rear in Panmure Street or surrounding streets where there are no parking restrictions.
Coach parking: Free parking available in nearby Panmure Street. Please note, there is no drop off or pick up at the stadium.
Image: Ross Cameron
