The Thistle Archive

Media report

Euan Robertson, 13-Apr-2021, Daily Record

Clyde remain just a point ahead of Dumbarton in the relegation play-off place after defeat to Partick Thistle. In a game of little incident it was Thistle who picked up all three points courtesy of Zak Rudden's double. The former Rangers youngster came off the bench to score on 66 minutes and in the dying stages to secure all three points for Thistle. The result means that Clyde will finish in the bottom five in League One when the split is activated after two more fixtures. Danny Lennon, understandably, named eight changes from the weekend defeat against Falkirk as the intensity of Clyde's pack schedule took it's toll. The Clyde boss couldn't be blamed for having one eye on Thursday's clash against Dumbarton and only Scott Rumsby, Tom Lang and David Goodwillie avoided rotation. Ian McCall named an unchanged side from Thistle's comfortable 3-0 win over Peterhead and they knew a win over their rivals would secure a top five finish ahead of the split.

Lennon deployed a 4-3-3 formation with Jack Thomson, on-loan from Rangers, demonstrating impressive maturity in a deeper midfield role. Although Thistle's midfield duo of Stuart Bannigan and Ross Docherty seen a lot of the ball, they struggled to play through the lines into Brian Graham's feet. Scott Tiffoney and Connor Murray rotated from left-wing to a position just off Graham but the position of Clyde's midfielder's nullified their considerable threat. Tiffoney has been outstanding since joining the Jags in January - five goals and two assists in six appearances - and he broke menacingly on 37 minutes. He skipped away from Tom Lang's challenge and slipped in Brian Graham but he fired straight at youngster David Wilson. Clyde boss Lennon made two changes at the break with Barry Cuddihy and Ewan Otoo replacing Michael McGlinchey and Lloyd Robertson.

The Bully Wee started with more emphasis on attack after the break and Thomson fired an ambitious effort straight at Jamie Sneddon from 25 yards out. Thistle grabbed the opening goal on 66 minutes through substitute Zak Rudden. Less than two minutes after his introduction, the former Rangers youngster chested Tiffoney's cross home from close range. Clyde responded well to falling behind and they immediately threatened. After David Goodwillie was fouled by Ross Docherty, Josh Jack stepped up and his dipping free-kick was tipped behind by Jamie Sneddon at full stretch. Clyde captain Goodwillie looked the likeliest player to grab the visitors an equaliser and he smashed a powerful effort into the side netting with just under ten minutes remaining. With Clyde pushing for an equaliser, Thistle raced up the other end and Rudden sealed the Jags' win with a brilliant finish after great chest control.

Reaction

Partick Thistle manager Ian McCall (speaking to Jagzone):

I’m very pleased with the result. It was always going to be a very tough game but we kept pushing and got the goals that we deserved on the balance of play. Look, we weren’t at our best by any means and it wasn’t anywhere near as comfortable as Saturday but the important thing was the win. We got into plenty of good positions but the final ball wasn’t there which is strange when you think about how well we’ve been attacking as of late. Zak’s had a terrible time of it with his injuries and we’ve yet to see the best of him. It’s been so stop-start that he hasn’t had a proper run in the team but recently he’s had a few appearances here and there and he’s getting up to speed. He got that goal against Cowdenbeath which was great but you always want to get that first league goal. There have been chances for him in the games he’s played but it didn’t quite fall so we’re delighted for him tonight. They’re not just any goals either, they’re massively important ones that have won us a big three points so that should do him the world of good.

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