NEW Jags boss, Ian McCall was full of praise for Celtic last night after his side put in a decent performance at Paradise but still ended up on the wrong side of a 5-0 thrashing. Here’s what the former Ayr Utd manager had to say after his first game back in charge of Partick Thistle.
“It was a good first half but I knew Lenny would have a go at them at half-time and losing the goals so early in the second half killed us,” McCall told his club’s website ptfc.co.uk.
“The scoreline didn’t flatter Celtic, you just need things to go for you and a couple of moments went against us instead of for us – Tam’s goal being ruled out and then Ntcham hits one that could go anywhere. They were two great finishes to be fair.
“After their start to the second half it was just a case of getting through the game with no injuries ahead of Saturday and we managed that. It was great to be back in a Thistle dugout but Celtic just have so much quality, so there’s no complaints.”
Despite the 5-0 score McCall believes there are positives to be taken from the match as he continues to get to know his new squad of players.
“We had some good moments in the game; their ‘keeper makes a really good save at 1-0 and then Tam’s goal gets ruled out which was a tight one. I think we all felt a little bit underprepared because one small training session isn’t enough but, to their credit, the boys stuck to their task.
“I’ve said to the players, they won’t be judged on tonight. I’ll have no negative judgements, there may be some positive ones, but there’ll be no negative judgements based on tonight’s game.
“That will come over the next two or three weeks starting on Saturday, we want to go there and get a result but then, Monday, for me, it really starts.”
We mentioned in the Match Report – see HERE – last night and David Potter separately – see HERE – made a similar point, that Thistle can be expected to start picking up points in the Championship so could be a decent shout for fixed odds backers in the weeks ahead.
ALSO ON THE CELTIC STAR…
‘What Kenny Miller does in the privacy is no business of the Green Brigade,’ David Potter…see HERE.
Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic 5 West End Thespians 0…see HERE.
‘Tom Rogic was simply breath-taking.Take a bow Olivier Ntcham. A masterclass,’ Niall J…see HERE.
Celtic’s five goal thrashing sets up semifinal against Hibs…see HERE.
‘Hail Hail, les Celts sont ici’ – Matt Corr’s Rennes Diary…see HERE.
