Ross County V Partick at Victoria Park : Match Preview

09 August 2013 18:31
Ross County V Partick - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Adams - Watch our for Thistle sting

Ross County manager Derek Adams is wary of Partick Thistle's winning mentality as the First Division champions arrive at the Global Energy Stadium.

Thistle started their Scottish Premiership season with a goalless draw against Dundee United in an enthusiastic return to the top flight following a nine-year absence.

County, Thistle's predecessors as First Division champions, did not lose in their first six matches in the Scottish Premier League as they stretched an unbeaten league run to more than 12 months.

And Adams knows that momentum is a factor they will need to guard against when they face the Jags tomorrow.

Adams said: "Any promoted side when they are coming have that advanatage of being on a winning run, and they look to try to win every game

"We went into last season on a long unbeaten run and kept that going for a while when we came up."

Thistle have pointed to Ross County as the template for their top-flight bid. County strengthened in January before finishing in the top six.

"We had a magnificent season last season finishing in fifth position," Adams said. "Partick will be the same as us last season, wanting to stay in the Premier League. We want to do the same this year as well.

"If you set that target then you can move forward from there.

"When you come up you want to be solid and Partick will be no different."

Left-back Ben Gordon will make his home debut and he knows Thistle will have earmarked the game as a chance to get more points on the board.

The former Kilmarnock player said: "Obviously I wasn't here last year but I always keep an eye on Scottish football and saw Ross County doing so well.

"Any team that comes up to the Premiership will want to do what Ross County did last year.

"Obviously to get top six was brilliant but for Partick to stay in the league, I'm sure that will be their main target.

"I'm sure they will have certain games where they will target points. But all the teams won't like coming here this season. Our home performances are really important."

Partick Thistle defender Stephen O'Donnell insists the Jags will take no notice of Hearts' plight as they look to survive their return to the top flight.

Alan Archibald's newly-promoted team started life in the Scottish Premiership with an encouraging goalless draw against Dundee United at Firhill last Friday night.

The point ultimately took them 16 clear of the beleaguered Gorgie club who started the season on minus 15 points and with a registration embargo after going into administration, and who lost their opening match at St Johnstone last Saturday with a threadbare squad.

However, ahead of the trip to Ross County on Saturday, the Firhill right-back, 21, said: "We can't get too caught up in that. We want to look above us and not behind us.

"We should look at it as one point gained just now and keep pushing.

"If we keep playing like we did against United, I'm sure we won't be worried about the bottom but we will have to wait and see.

"I have played one game in the Premiership so I can't really be claiming that we are going to be excellent, I don't know.

"If we stay up the Thistle fans will be delighted."


Source: PA