Partick Thistle clinch League One title in style with rout of Falkirk

Zak Rudden celebrates scoring the opening goal in Partick Thistle's title-clinching rout of Falkirk at Firhill. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

The eighth league title in the colourful 145-year history of Partick Thistle is surely the sweetest of the lot for those of a Firhill persuasion.

On an evening when Ian McCall’s side produced a sparkling display worthy of clinching any divisional crown, the injustice of their relegation from the Championship last season was emphatically addressed with a 5-0 dismantling of Falkirk

The contentious SPFL decision to send them down in the coronavirus-curtailed 2019-20 campaign will remain a source of rancour and resentment for Thistle and their support for a long time to come.

But this was a night for the Jags to savour and celebrate as they swept Falkirk aside to clinch the League One crown and an immediate return to the second tier of Scottish football.

Partick Thistle supporters gathered outside Firhill celebrate as their team secure promotion to the Scottish Championship. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Watched from a vantage point high behind an open corner beside the Jackie Husband Stand by a vocal and jubilant gathering of their supporters, Thistle maintained the hot streak of form which has seen them surge past their rivals in the race for automatic promotion.

Now unbeaten in 12 games, they have come good when it mattered most and are unquestionably fitting champions.

By stark contrast, Falkirk’s slump at the critical business end of the season continues. With just one win in their last seven games, the side now under the interim charge of Gary Holt still require a point from the last two games just to secure a place in the play-offs.

They were a beaten team before half-time at Firhill as goals from Zak Rudden, Scott Tiffoney and Brian Graham put the hosts in complete control.