TWO GONGS DON’T MAKE A RIGHT
(But three certainly do!) Jag Jamie thrilled with form and latest honour
MODEST Jamie Sneddon jokes his mum must have been working overtime to help him cap a “crazy” year with three Thistle gongs.
But the 24-year-old admits knowing boss Ian McCall is deadly serious about his status as Firhill No.1 is helping bring out the best in him.
Sneddon has picked up Partick’s player of the month award for the third time running after fans responded to his record-breaking form.
The ex-Hearts player is the first keeper in Jags’ history to record seven consecutive clean sheets – in fact, he made it to eight last month – and last week signed a contract extension until the end of next season.
Sneddon joked: “My mum maybe overcompensated this month and made about 100 fake accounts or something, I don’t know.
“It’s a fan-voted thing so it feels nice to be liked by the fans. It’s an honour.
“This month we had a lot less football than usual so maybe I didn’t have to earn it as much but it is nice to get. I’ve seen all the nice things the gaffer has been saying about me and that just breeds more confidence.
“He just said I’m his No.1 and that he’s going to give me that extended run, which is exactly what you want as a keeper.”
This time last year Sneddon had seen injury scupper the first half of his season before the pandemic delayed his return, all in all leading to a five-and-ahalf-month gap between games.
As he tries for another shut-out bid against Killie tonight, he added: “To think where I was a year ago today it couldn’t have gone much better.
“I’m really thankful for the way it has all panned out.
“Hopefully 2022 can be just as good, if not better. It will take some topping but it has started really well.”
Killie full-back Brandon Haunstrup admits his side are looking to build on the high of Derek McInnes’ appointment by beating Jags and climbing to the Championship summit.
He said: “It has been good, there’s always a transition when a new manager comes in but the boys have adapted well. I saw his record at Aberdeen and we were delighted when we heard he was coming in.
“The message from him is to focus on the way we play, taking each game as it comes.
“I’m sure the fans would love to see us top of the league.”
PARTICK THISTLE’S Player of the Month Awards for season 2021/22 are sponsored by McCrea Financial Services – visit www.mccreafs.co.uk to find out more.