Archibald has feet on ground as Thistle beat Caley

HIS team had just become the first to inflict defeat on Inverness Caley Thistle, yet Alan Archibald, the Partick Thistle manager, was not getting carried away on Saturday evening.

No way through for Ryan Christie as he found himself surrounded by Thistle players. Picture: SNS

Partick Thistle 3-1 Inverness CT

Scorers: Partick Thistle- Lawless (19), Osman (23), Higginbotham (72); Inverness CT - Doran (13)

Archibald recalls only too well the trials and tribulations of last season’s battle to avoid relegation and is well aware that consistency will be the key to avoiding a repeat.

This, though, was a pretty impressive start as the Maryhill men recovered from the loss of the opening goal to end high-flying Caley’s unbeaten run with an ultimately comfortable victory in a display that often brimmed with enterprise and effort.

“Once they got that early goal we had to regroup and make sure we didn’t collapse,” said Archibald.

“We managed to sort ourselves out and there was a freedom about us that was much better as we started to play the way we know we can.

“We showed good character to come back from a goal behind, which we will be looking to build on and take into our next game with St Mirren. Hopefully, we can show some consistency, which is what is needed to make a difference in the league and avoid the difficulties towards the end of the season.”

Archibald continued: “The first 20 or so minutes we were a bit nervous and twitchy but, after the goal, which sort of woke us up, we managed to play some very good football and I think we deserved to win in the end.

“We scored a couple of fantastic goals in a game-plan we developed this week to help us break them down and the lads executed it very well today.”

Inverness, who hadn’t conceded a goal prior to this match, started confidently and went in front with an excellent effort, David Raven releasing Aaron Doran who shot past Partick keeper Scott Fox from close range to silence the Firhill faithful.

However, the setback served to galvanise the Maryhill team who turned the game on its head with a quick one-two that rocked the Highlanders.

Steven Lawless equalised five minutes later after drifting in from the right flank before expertly steering a thundering strike inside the far post, and Abdul Osman quickly gave Thistle the lead, meeting a Kallum Higginbotham corner with a firm header at the back post.

Partick were forced on to the back foot at times in the second half as Inverness squandered a series of chances to draw level.

Instead, the game’s final goal came at the other end when Higginbotham added Partick’s third on 72 minutes, brilliantly smashing past Dean Brill.

There should have been further punishment for the visitors but Kris Doolan provided some mercy with a poorly struck penalty after David Raven fouled him inside the area.

Archibald added: “I let the team decide between themselves who takes them but I think that will be Kris [Doolan] off penalties for now and at the bottom of the queue. I had heard it was Higginbotham who was supposed to be on them so I am sure it will change but, overall, I am just pleased we managed to secure the points.”

Inverness were in contention for long spells but manager John Hughes admitted his side missed too many opportunities and suggested a normally faultless defence gave him some cause for concern before a tricky trip to Ibrox tomorrow to face Rangers in the League Cup.

“We did not play well enough to win the game,” conceded Hughes. “We managed to get ourselves ahead with a good goal and then allowed them to play the way they wanted to play, comfortably pushing us aside.

“Overall, I thought we were poor in dealing with what they were throwing at us in attack and our normally very solid and well organised defence was made to look ordinary by Partick, who, to their credit, showed great spirit and desire to go and win the match. In the first half, we took the lead and I thought there were chances throughout to extend that and score more goals.

“Billy [McKay] had a couple of chances and was unlucky not to score, Gary [Warren] also had a chance with a header and Marley [Watkins] drove a shot straight at the keeper so we had chances. We just couldn’t make the most of them.”

On his team’s return trip to Glasgow, Hughes suggested Rangers are favourites in the tie but is relishing the challenge of playing another one of the Old Firm.

“They will be favourites in the game, for sure. They have been playing some lovely football recently and we are going to have to be a lot better if we want any chance of breaking them down.

“I am one of those who believe that Rangers belong in the top flight. They and Celtic carry the flag for Scottish football and have done for many years so to see them in the division below is hard but we are lucky enough to get them in the cup at Ibrox, which is great, and, hopefully, we can put on a show and earn the win.”