Match Preview | Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle versus MORTON
Saturday 29 December 2018
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill, Glasgow
Kick-off 3pm
Scene Setter
Morton both bring down the curtain on 2018 and step into the second half of the Ladbrokes Championship campaign when they face Partick Thistle at the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill this afternoon.
Jonatan Johansson’s side concluded the second quarter of their league season last weekend with a 2-1 loss to Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Cappielow on matchday 18.
Although he was proud of his 10-man team’s performance, the Ton boss has identified the need to be more productive in terms of collecting points.
And so the Greenock men will journey to Glasgow determined to end the calendar year by claiming a win against Gary Caldwell’s men.
They enjoyed a comfortable 5-1 home victory over the Jags in the last clash between the clubs, but have also lost both meetings in Maryhill this term and so will be under no illusions about the task facing them today.
Gaffer’s Thoughts
Manager Jonatan Johansson has called for a repeat of the clinical performance that saw his side come from behind to beat Partick Thistle 5-1 at Cappielow last month.
He said: “That was a good game. Partick started well and scored first, but after that we showed great character and were really clinical in the final third. Not only was there good attacking play, but we finished it off.
“That is something that has been missing in some of the games. Although we haven’t picked up enough points, I feel like the performance have been good but that final touch hasn’t been there.
“So I’m looking for us to be as clinical in the final third as we were that day, because it’s going to be a tough game. Partick came down from the Premiership last season with hopes of going straight back up.
“It’s hasn’t happened for them so far, but they still have a very good squad and are a very dangerous opponent away from home. Before my time we lost 1-0 there, so it’s a tough place to go to and we need to be ready.”
Team News
Denny Johnstone has returned to training but is still short of being available selection. Johnstone, Gary Oliver, and Jack Iredale all miss out through injury, while Michael Tidser and Kerr Waddell are suspended.
Defender Gregor Buchanan is rated doubtful, but manager Johansson is hopeful that he will have the centre-half available for selection.
Morton Milestones
8 – Striker McHugh is Morton’s top scorer this term with eight goals in 18 starts and six substitute appearances.
10 – Midfielder Michael Tidser is Morton’s top creator with 10 direct assists in 24 starts.
Current Connections
After seven seasons of service at Cappielow and over 200 appearances, defender Thomas O’Ware moved to Partick Thistle earlier this summer. He was followed to Firhill by former Ton team-mate Jai Quitongo in August.
Goalkeeper Ryan Scully headed in the opposite direction, signing a one-year contract with the Ton following a decade with the Firhill outfit.
Gary Harkins spent last season at Cappielow, scoring eight goals in 41 appearances, and recently re-joined former club Partick on 27 December, signing an 18-month contract after departing Queen of the South.
Head to Head
Tue 26 Aug 2014: Morton 0-1 Partick Thistle (League Cup)
Tue 17 July 2018: Partick Thistle 2-1 Morton (Betfred Cup, Group E)
Sat 1 Sep 2018: Partick Thistle 1-0 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)
Sat 3 Nov 2018: Morton 5-1 Partick Thistle (Ladbrokes Championship)
Last Time Round
Morton enjoyed their biggest second-tier league win at Cappielow in close to a decade after coming back from behind to record a thrilling 5-1 victory over Partick Thistle last month.
The four-goal margin was Ton’s highest on home turf at this level of Scottish football since beating Raith Rovers 5-0 on Sinclair Street on 14 November 2009.
Goals from Gary Oliver, Bob McHugh, who bagged a brace, Jack Iredale, and Michael Tidser made for an immense afternoon and completed a sensational seven-day swing.
In the space of a week Ton went from the agony of a 5-0 hammering against Ross County through the exhiliration of a late win at Queen of the South on the Tuesday to the ecstasy of Saturday’s Jags conquest
Officials
Referee: Euan Anderson
Assistant one: Calum Spence
Assistant two: David Dunne
Fan File
Entry is pay at the gate with ticket issued on entry. Admission prices are:
Adults: £20
Concession (Over 65, Student, 16 to 18)^: £15
Under-16s: £5
^Please note, proof of entitlement must be provided for concessionary tickets
Morton fans will be housed in the Colin Weir Stand and enter via turnstile numbers 17 – 20.
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.
Fans are asked to take care when leaving the stadium as Firhill Road will be open to vehicle traffic.
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. Please check Google maps for alternative routes.
There are conta-flow roadworks near to the Erskine turn off which may cause some delays. Please check trafficscotland.org for updates.
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.
Travel Club Info
- The Gourock Morton Supporters’ bus leaves the Royalle Club in Gourock at 1.15pm sharp and pick ups are available en-route. Costs are £8 for adults and £6 for concessions.
- The Greenock Morton Supporters Club bus leaves the club at 1.45pm with pick ups en-route. Visitors costs are £7 for adults and £5 for OAPs and Under-16s.
- The Port Glasgow Morton Travel Club bus for today’s match leaves the Sutherland Bar at 2pm.
Image: Gary Bradley
