The Thistle Archive

Media report

ROWAN LOST FOR WORDS; Gretna Boss Snubs Post-Match Chat. SOMEBODY had better send for a body language expert because Rowan Alexander sure doesn't say much. Last week the seething Gretna boss offered barely a word after watching his team lose to Morton. This time Alexander didn't even bother to turn up for the after-match analysis. You couldn't accuse him of being a bad loser again - his side had just ruthlessly dispatched Partick Thistle - but still he walked away and now the fans will have to guess what he thought of his team's performance.

Thankfully, Steve Tosh was on hand. The cultured midfielder reckons Alexander's actions are proof he is only interested in winning and, boy, do the statistics back this up. Gretna have been No.1 longer than anything Stock, Aitken and Waterman could muster as they first swept to the Third Division title and now stand on the brink of another championship. Tosh insists this relentless march is achieved by the mind, not the mouth. And it's an attitude he reckons Morton would be wise to adopt. He said: “We've built up a substantial lead and we are absolutely desperate to win every week so we can get this title wrapped up. We've always got to hear Morton say what a team they are. They may have beaten us at Raydale but you've also got to go to the Peterheads and the Alloas to win this division. We do that. If we're beaten one week the boys refuse to let it happen again. That's the kind of mental strength that wins you titles. As for Rowan maybe it was a bit of sour grapes after the Morton game. He's a winner like the rest of us.”

Firhill offered a stark contrast to Alexander as even the stewards are friendly. One was called into action after spotting a Jags fan sat with his feet on a seat while swigging from a can of Tennent's. While this action would send most of football's fluorescent army into a frenzy with ejection a certainty, one of Firhill's finest merely asked for the offending item and let the drinker stay.

How boss Dick Campbell must wish he could chuck the odd fan out. The Thistle boss was again a target for the boo-boys who long seemed to have forgotten his Scottish Cup heroics. But this performance was a world away from the displays that knocked out Inverness and gave Hearts a real scare. As soon as Kenny Deuchar tapped in the opener in 41 minutes after Kenny Arthur saved from Gavin Skelton, the outcome of this clash was never in any doubt. To prove it, the striker then latched on to Tosh's perfect pass and held off Scott Boyd before drilling in the second with 17 minutes to go. Campbell said: “Criticism is very easy but you have to work with the players to know them. I don't need them shouting abuse at me but I'll take it so long as they don't hurl it at the players. There's no one more disappointed with the defeat than me. At the first goal we were lazy although the second was as good a finish as you'll see. I must give Gretna credit because they look worthy champions.” They will take their place in the Scottish Cup Final, too, if they beat Dundee in front of the TV cameras next month. Maybe then Alexander will feel like a natter.

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