TALKING THISTLE Dannyhappy to build from the back for Jags success
KRIS DOOLAN’S double for Partick Thistle against Hamilton may have hogged the headlines since Saturday, but the contribution of their backline after another clean sheet should not be underestimated.
In fact, the Thistle defence have lost just six goals in their last 11 games, shutting out the opposition completely in six of those matches and losing two goals j ust once away at Aberdeen.
Danny Devine has been a huge contributor to their fine defensive form, and the former Inverness defender is delighted to finally be showing the Thistle fans his best form.
“Since that period before Christmas where we played Celtic and Hearts, I think the boys at the back have really stepped up and we’re performing really well at the minute as a unit,” Devine said.
“It’s not just the back four, it’s obviously Tomas Cerny coming back in goal too and he’s been a big presence for us since his return. I didn’t know we had only lost six goals in the last 11 games, but that shows how far we’ve come.
“I think at the start of the season we were conceding really stupid goals, slack goals where it was maybe just a loss of concentration that was costing us.
“We were defending quite well, but we were taking a lot more risks.
“You have to credit the manager, he’s drilled into us over the last couple of months that we are defenders first and we should let the other boys go on and do their thing to try and win us the game at the other end.
“It was always going to take time for the defence to settle with new faces coming into the side. That happens at the very top level, so we were always going to take a bit of time to bed in.
“We had a couple of injuries as well, but it definitely feels more of a settled unit at the back now.
“I’m enjoying it at the minute and I’m enjoying keeping clean sheets, playing well and winning games.
“Since that Hearts away game when I came back into the team, this has been my best run since coming here.
“It’s really just a mentality thing because you are coming into a new team with a new set of lads and trying to get used to how a new manager wants to play.
“Hopefully I’m getting into my stride now, and I want to put in more performances like I have over the last couple of weeks, keep improving as a player and help Thistle move up the league.”
The Jags face a tough task to keep up their impressive defen- sive record as Hearts come calling on Saturday.
Devine is taking confidence from the last meeting of the sides though, when the Jags were disappointed only to take a point from their visit to Gorgie.
HE also hopes that tonight’s Edinburgh derby Scottish Cup replay will have an impact on the Hearts players’ bodies and minds.
“Anyone watching that game at Tynecastle would agree that we should have picked up three points with the chances that we had, but in saying that, taking a point was still a good result,” he said.
“I think that really kick-started our run through that tough period of games at Christmas, and it definitely gives us great confidence going into this game on Saturday, especially given their result last weekend and the fact they have such a huge game tonight.
“Hopefully that takes its toll physically and mentally, and hopefully we can get them to Firhill and turn them over this time.” in 1994/95, pulled no punches in the assessment of the situation under the much-maligned stewardship of the Venkys.
The straight-talking pundit tweeted: “What an absolute mess the club is in! It would be a bigger help if a few others left as well!”
Coyle leaves Rovers with a record of just 11 wins from 37 matches since replacing compatriot Paul Lambert last June.
Coyle’s assistant, fellow Scot Sandy Stewart, has also been sacked by the club.
A Rovers spokesperson confirmed: “Blackburn wish to announce that manager Owen Coyle has left his role at Ewood Park by mutual consent.”
FORMER CELTIC winger Paddy McCourt has joined League of Ireland side Finn Harps.
The 33-year-old has been without a club since leaving Glenavon in December, cutting short his one-year with the Northern Irish outfit.
McCourt, who won five major honours during five years at Parkhead, has already turned out for The Harps during a friendly against Cabinteely and is expected to line up for the Donegal side when their season kicks off on Friday night against Cork City.
The 18-times capped McCourt said: “I’m looking forward now to being part of the squad for the new season and I want to play my part in keeping Harps in the Premier Division.”
McCourt - affectionally dubbed the ‘Derry Pele’ - also turned out for the likes of Rochdale, Barnsley, Brighton, Notts County and Luton Town in English football as well as Shamrock Rovers and Derry City in Ireland.