IAN McCALL is planning to rotate his squad ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Falkirk as the Jags face John McGlynn’s side in the SPFL Trust Trophy.
It is a competition that isn’t always held in the highest of regard by supporters – and McCall himself hasn’t always been its biggest fan – but the Thistle manager believes it is something of a blessing this term.
“It is, because an awful lot of the players will get [gametime] and I don’t think it will seriously weaken the team,” said McCall, speaking as Thistle confirmed an extended two-year partnership with Macklin Motors Nissan Glasgow Central.
“Guys like [Darren] Brownlie, Tony Weston, Danny Mullen, [Aidan] Fitzpatrick – although he’s played a lot of games – Cammy Smith… there will probably be one or two starting who started the last league game but I don’t think it seriously weakens us to be honest, maybe the young ones will start as well.
“We will pick a team to try to win the game though because we want to win it. I am very aware that the competition in my opinion has been diluted a little bit but you know if we got to the final and played Falkirk in the final there would be over 10,000 there.
“And it has got good memories for me as well. Back in the day I’d played in the final, I think it was 15,000 there, Falkirk v St Mirren at Fir Park on a snowy day. We won’t play the players who have played a lot of football but we will pick a strong team because we want to win.”
There are, however, a few players unavailable for selection. Central midfielder Cole McKinnon is away on international duty with Scotland Under-21s and there are a few others carrying knocks.
“Brian [Graham] has taken a jag for his back so he will not be available,” McCall explained. “Scott Tiffoney and Anton Dowds are a wee bit, Tiff went for a scan on his ankle, he should be okay but he probably won’t be risked. Anton should be okay, maybe for the bench.”
Thistle have never won the Challenge Cup but they have come mightily close on one occasion. In 2013, Queen of the South were winning 1-0 in extra-time before all hell broke loose in the final few minutes. The Jags were awarded a penalty; up stepped Aaron Muirhead, whose effort was palmed behind for a corner. The centre-half was then dismissed for headbutting an opponent in the immediate aftermath before Kris Doolan equalised from the resulting set-piece. The game went to penalties, where Queens ultimately triumphed.
“I was there,” McCall recalled. “I was working for the media, I’m sure big Aero got sent off. Certainly when I was manager the last time we got to the semi-final at Ross County, winning 2-1 with about three minutes to go, and our goalkeeper at the time kind of threw one in.
“It’s obviously not like the other competitions but again you want to win it, it’s a game of football and you want to win. You look at [Falkirk], it’s a club similar size to us and I had great times there – not great, enjoyable I should say.
“I didn’t do great but it was enjoyable as a player. In fact, it was happiest time I’ve ever had as a player in a really, really good team at Falkirk. It’s a bit kind of sad what has happened but I think they have got the right guy in charge, give him a bit of patience.
“It will take a wee while but it is amazing to think... I mean, how many were at the Dunfermline game [at East End Park last weekend]? Nearly 7000! I remember going with Falkirk to Dunfermline, there were like 13,000 at East End Park so I know the club, I was there as manager and I was there as a player. I’m sure given a bit of patience John is the right guy to get them moving forward again.”
Macklin Motors Nissan Glasgow Central is proud sponsor of Partick Thistle FC - www.macklinmotors.co.uk.
