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Daily Record
15 minutes ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
East Kilbride Thistle boss enjoys dream start with Wishaw hammering
Jags boss Stephen Kane watched his side ease to victory at the Beltane on his dugout debut East Kilbride Thistle boss Stephen Kane admits a 5-1 win on his dugout debut surpassed his expectations, as he heaped praise on his players for their display at Wishaw. The new Showpark gaffer watched his side run riot at the Beltane to stun one of the pre-season title favourites in their own backyard, claiming all three points in their West of Scotland Fourth Division opener. Kierin Coleman fired Thistle in front after 20 minutes and Willie McLaren doubled their lead four minutes later for a 2-0 lead at the break. McLaren grabbed his second of the day in 59 minutes, before Wishy pulled on back in 75 minutes. However, Jordan Grant restored the three-goal lead just three minutes later. He then rounded off the scoring with a stunning strike five minutes from time. And boss Kane beamed: 'It was a good performance and a good win. We knew it would be a difficult game with Wishaw coming down from the Third Division, but we were clinical. 'We controlled most of the game and just switched off once. The boys were fantastic. Their attitude was great and I got the performances I wanted from them, all over the park. 'At half-time, I told them it could have been three or four at that stage and to be wary of them coming out strong in the second half. Wishaw came out strongly for a 10-15 minute period but once we got the third goal quickly after they scored, that was game over. 'But I didn't imagine before the game we'd end up scoring five goals. 'Our goalkeeper hasn't had to make a save in the whole game, so the only disappointing thing is that we haven't kept a clean sheet. The only thing the keeper had to do was pick the ball out of the net. 'Big Jordan could have scored three or four on Saturday, but he is a great lad and I was pleased for him to get his goals. He just needs to keep fit and keep working hard. If we do that, I'm sure he'll get more goals this season.' Next up, Thistle travel to local rivals East Kilbride YM for a tasty derby clash at Kirktonholme on Saturday. Newly-promoted YM went down 3-1 at home to Irvine Vics on Saturday and lost 4-1 away to Carluke Rovers on Tuesday night, but Kane isn't taking anything for granted. He said: 'I have watched YM a few times already and they are a really good side. They will win a lot of games at home this season. They've got a really good squad and they took three of the players that were here last season. 'There will be a really good crowd there on Saturday and it should be a really good game. 'I still expect YM to be up towards the top of the league. I watched the highlights of their game on Saturday and I felt they deserved to get the win, they just missed a couple of chances. 'Going to Kirktonholme will be tough for a lot of teams, especially with the way they move the ball. 'I'm looking for the same kind of performance as we put in at Wishaw. The boys have set that standard now. 'For us it was important to get three points on the board early on and now it is just about trying to keep that momentum going, to see how far we can go this season.'
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Mark Wilson not expecting much further transfer activity
Wilson will be hoping the view from the away dugout this afternoon will be just as pleasing. Ross County host the Jags in the Premier Sports Cup with top spot in Group B up for grabs, with Thistle currently in the driving seat with three wins out of three in the group stage so far. The recently-relegated Staggies are certain to pose Wilson's men more problems than Edinburgh City, Stranraer and Queen of the South. And with Thistle only requiring a point to confirm top spot, there is surely a temptation for Wilson to play for a draw. Not that he's paying it any heed. Their victories thus far have been based on high-pressing and aggressive football and while Wilson was keen to underline that he is not dogmatically tied to one way of playing, he sees no reason to tinker with a winning formula for now. 'No, we're going to go eight at the back tomorrow,' Wilson joked. 'No, listen - if there was a definite way of doing it, perhaps you might think about it. But there are no guarantees. You could set up with the five at the back and just try and defend your box, then something goes in off somebody's backside and before you know it you have to change your full game plan. 'So a lot of what we've worked on from day one in pre-season is what you've seen playing out in the Edinburgh, Stranraer and the Queen of the South games. It's not being arrogant or saying I'm never going to change throughout the season because that would be stupid of me. We will adapt at some times of the season. We will change shape as the season progresses. 'But tomorrow, when everything is going in the right direction, it would be stupid of me to change it. So we won't go up there and sit in and hope for a point. We'll try and play the stuff that we've been doing so far and hopefully we get a positive outcome.' The long journey north can be an especially apprehensive one for Thistle supporters, given the events of the play-off final that took place in Dingwall two years ago. Those ghosts were somewhat exorcised with a 3-0 win for the Jags in the Scottish Cup the following season. That play-off defeat two years ago can linger in the backs of the minds of supporters, but Wilson insists it has absolutely no bearing on the football side of things. 'This place, what I've learned is they hang on to the bad memories more than the good stuff! I'm certainly not one that's going to linger on that sort of stuff,' he said. 'That's for a different era. 'We're certainly in a different place just now with different personnel about the club. Of course there are one or two who might have still been kicking about behind the scenes, but not from our point of view. So we've got the fresh, clear heads. I think it's just a different environment we're working in as well and it's obviously a different time of the season. 'So there's a lot of optimism about the club at the minute, particularly in the football department from our perspective. It's a game we're actually looking forward to because it's going to be a really tough test. It's a good gauge for myself and Alex [Rae] to see how our players are compared to a team that's come down from the Premiership.' Thistle yesterday signed goalkeeper Josh Clarke on loan from Celtic, and Wilson was frank when addressing his plans for the remainder of the window. 'I mean, I'll be surprised if there's anyone - perhaps one again - and then that'll be us,' he explained. 'It's just being transparent and real with our supporters. That's what the budget dictates. 'There was a wee bit of work to be done to fill big holes that were left. Loan players went back to their parent clubs. The main goal scorer in Brian [Graham] was leaving and there were one or two other things. 'We managed the goalkeeper situation. We had no goalkeepers the day before pre-season. So those are areas that we needed to fill first and foremost. But there wasn't much left, if you like, to go and then say, 'We're going to bolster this and double up every position'. 'That would be great, but I was well aware of that before I came in. And I'm quite comfortable working in that kind of environment with the kids backing us up, and they will get their chance this year. But if we get one or two more in, that might be the end of the business.' Wilson is certainly happy with the players he has at his disposal. Young players will supplement the first team throughout the season, and he believes there is a real sense of togetherness behind the scenes at Firhill. The players and coaching staff spent Thursday on a team-building session at Langbank's Gleddoch Golf and Spa Resort, enjoying a few rounds of the royal and ancient game before sitting down for a meal together. Creating a close-knit bond within the squad, Wilson says, is vital for any successful team. 'It's always important at any club,' he said. 'The atmosphere in the dressing room and the football department - because I include the medical team and myself and the goalkeeping coaches - that's the crucial thing. If you've got a bad working environment, just even off the pitch, then you're never going to succeed on the pitch because everybody is pulling in different directions. 'That seems obvious, but it's not the easiest thing to implement really. The wee things like the golf day and sharing time together over a meal, they're just wee bits and pieces, but the full culture around the training ground has shifted in the right direction. Just in terms of eating lunch in the right manner or sharing analysis time together off the pitch. 'So we do spend quite a bit of time off the pitch and we speak a lot. It's not just the guys go on the pitch for 90 minutes and then they jump in their car and they're away at home right away. I think you can quite clearly see the teams that do that. So it's been something that I've been keen to do, something that always found success in the other clubs I've been at. 'When they have that tight unit, they succeed. And of course, when you've got a tight unit - we've never got the depth of squad probably as some of the other teams in this division - so that helps as well. When you've got that tight unit and you're together, you enjoy each other's company, you will run the extra yard for each other out on the pitch.'
NZ Herald
14-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Gisborne football teams playing for position after Havelock North put title out of reach
Gisborne Thistle's Alex Shanks is tackled by a Taradale player in an Eastern Premiership game at Childers Road Reserve. Shanks put the goalkeeping gloves on for the Jags against Port Hill United on Saturday and had a superb game despite a 3-2 loss. Photo / Paul Rickard Their title hopes have come to an end but Gisborne United and Gisborne Thistle still have plenty to play for heading into the last three weeks of the Eastern Premiership. Havelock North Wanderers' 5-1 thrashing of Maycenvale United on Saturday lifted them beyond the reach of Heavy Equipment Services United,
Edinburgh Reporter
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
McIndoe's men stung by The Jags
The scoreline at sun-kissed Meadowbank (pictured) on Friday night finished Edinburgh City 1, Partick Thistle 4 in Group B, of the Premier Sports Cup. On paper, that appears an improvement on the 6-0 defeat inflicted by he Jags on the Citizens on the same competition in a previous season. However, manager Michael McIndoe has much to ponder when he reviews the game and re-watches the video. Thistle stung the home side with four first-half goals, two in the first nine minutes, after the visitors started brightly in front of a large contingent of travelling fans from Glasgow, a welcome boost to City coffers. The first was cooly slotted by former City loan player Cameron Logan after six minutes, the Jags robbing defender Lewis McArthur just inside his own half and punishing the mistake. The second from Robbie Crawford, followed a swift move down the left. The third arrived after 23 minutes and was a comedy capers own goal, caused by defensive uncertainty, Robbie Mahon sending the ball towards goalkeeper Mark Weir and an untimely slip by stopper allowed the ball to trundle over the line. The fourth followed with five minutes of regular time remaining in the half, and a neat move down the left which was crisply dispatched into the net by Logan Chalmers. City gave their fans hope with a goal five minutes into injury time in the first period, a dipping free-kick from just outside the box causing Thistle goalkeeper Lewis Budinauckas a problem. He palmed the ball into the air and 23-year-old former Camelon Juniors forward, Tiwi Daramola, seized on the opportunity to nip in and bundle the ball home. Home fans naturally hoped that goal would lift their men for the start of the second half, but City failed to up their game and the fixture petered out as a spectacle as fatigue kicked in. Frankly, Thistle's rearguard were rarely troubled despite City working hard, and the City midfield failed to take make any real impression on the Championship side. Chances were few and far between, but McArthur headed over when in a good position. Basically, the home side lacked any real punch up-front and, when they broke, it was more of an odd man rush rather than a co-ordinated thrust forward by several players. One plus was the competitive debuts of Jack Duncan, Callum Brodie and Logan Myles who replaced Innes Lawson, Lewis McArthur and Jake Service, but McIndoe's lack of options from the bench was evident. City named four substitutes while Thistle boss Mark Wilson had nine available. So, Thistle left balmy Meadowbank with the three points to open their account in the group and City manager McIndoe would probably have wished to meet Thistle later in the group stage once his semi-professional team, who play in the fourth tier of Scottish football, have upped their fitness levels, but that is the hand he was dealt. Now City travel to Dumfries on Tuesday (19.45) to square-up to Queen of the South, who play in Scottish League One, the third tier of the Scottish game, in the same competition looking for points. It would have been good to know McIndoe's thoughts post-game, but a request for a chat was turned down, strange for a club seeking to boost their profile and to encourage more fans to take an interest and possibly follow them. Like this: Like Related
Scottish Sun
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Why Tony Watt will dedicate each goal to his dead chickens as ex-Celtic star opens up on racing 63-year-old MMA fighter
TONY WATT knew it was time to find a new club when a 63-year-old challenged him to a race over 60 metres at Glasgow's Emirates Arena. Former Scotland star Watt — released by Dundee United at the end of last season — has joined Partick Thistle after a long summer of solitary slog. Advertisement 2 Tony Watt signs for Partick Thistle Credit: Partick Thistlle 2 Tony Watt signs for Partick Thistle Credit: Partick Thistle He'll make his Jags bow on Friday night when Scottish football's new campaign kicks off with a Premier Sports Cup tie at Edinburgh City. And Watt is relieved that a tough close-season — which also saw his beloved chickens killed by a hungry badger — is finally at an end. The ex-Celtic hero said: 'It's been difficult for the last seven or eight weeks. I didn't take a big break after the end of my loan spell at Motherwell. 'I've been running myself. I missed the camaraderie and having somebody to push me. I missed the team environment. Advertisement 'The final straw was when I got called out in a race by a 63-year-old. 'I was in the gym at the Emirates and he came over and said, 'I saw you running the other day and told my wife that I want to race you'. 'I was lined up on a track against a 63-year-old! 'After that, I called Robert Snodgrass and said 'Listen mate, it's time for me to get a club'. Advertisement 'I explained it to him and he was crying with laughter at the thought of me racing a 63-year-old Mixed Martial Artist. Ref misses Partick Thistle goal despite ball hitting back of the net 'I won the race. I wouldn't be telling the story if I'd lost it, put it that way.' Watt has penned a two-year contract to work under former Hoops team-mate Mark Wilson at Firhill. He'll hope to shoulder some of the scoring burden which fell on former player co-boss Brian Graham last season. Advertisement And he says the chance to work again with Wilson — now in sole charge at Thistle — was just too good to resist. Watt added: 'We were never on the pitch together at Celtic. 'I was in the squad for the final few games of one season before Mark left but we never played together. 'I knew him as I was a Celtic fan growing up and we trained a few times together. Advertisement "He was the driving force behind the move. We had some good conversations. 'I gave him my word that I'd sign and it was just a case of getting it done.' Jags face a tricky opener at Meadowbank on Friday against a City side which won 3-2 at Premiership hosts Falkirk in a pre-season friendly. Wilson will also throw his other newcomers in for debuts as Thistle kick off a new era. Advertisement Watt would love to open his scoring account in the capital — and is already planning a special goal celebration in memory of his lost chickens. The 31-year-old explained: 'The chickens are gone — they're dead. 'We moved house and put them on a farm. The guy we gave them to forgot to put the door down on the coop and they got scranned by a badger. 'I wondered if it was a set-up and there was somebody who didn't like me went up there with a badger suit on and ate my chickens! 'I had four. They were the best looked-after chickens. I was getting all sorts of eggs from them. Advertisement 'You could feel their comfort level at my old house. And now they've gone away and been eaten. 'I'm not allowed any more. My wife won't let me — she says they are stinking. 'Every time I score, I'll be pointing up to the sky and thinking of them. 'I think my original chicken celebration is maybe retired. But the fans seemed to like it so you never know . . . ' Advertisement Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
