TALKING PARTICK THISTLE
BLAIR SPITTAL reckons Chris Erskine has been the catalyst for the quick-fire start to his Firhill career as Partick Thistle close in on the last 16 of the Betfred Cup today.
Spittal scored twice in last week’s 5-0 thrashing of St Mirren then scored one and set up the other in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Airdrie.
He has fitted into Thistle’s attacking system perfectly, clicking with Erskine, Kris Doolan and Stevie Lawless to get the Thistle fans excited about the new campaign.
His best tally for a season is 12, so he’s already a quarter of the way there and he’s hoping to be on target today as Thistle aim to defeat Stranraer to guarantee one of the four best runners-up spots.
The 21-year-old said: “It helps that Chris and I played together before so we know each other’s games well.
“It’s great to play alongside Chris, Kris Doolan and Stevie Lawless because you know they’ll create chances. They are never static, they are always on the move.
“The type of football we want to play involves getting the ball down at every opportunity.
“That was a big part in my decision to come here. There will be times when you have to mix it up a bit and go in behind teams, but largely we like to keep it on the deck.
“In my first year at United I was in and out the first team but in my second year we played a lot together during pre-season and during the season.
“Coming here knowing Squiddy helped me settle quickly into the dressing room.
“The rest of the boys made me feel welcome and I’m enjoying it.
“The manager said it was a tight dressing room. I came in and they’ve taken me in, welcomed me very well.
“I’m enjoying it. It’s been good so far and long may that continue.
“I see myself as that type of player where I can contribute. I’ve got off to a good start and it’s all about becoming consistent now.
“In terms of goals I don’t like to put that added pressure on myself. I just like to have a good game and if I score it’s a bonus.
“I think the best for a season is 12 for Queen’s Park before I went to United so three already is a decent start.”
STRANRAER, with former Jags Scott Robertson and David Barron in their ranks, have conceded 11 goals in their three Group H matches so far and have yet to win a point.
But Spittal knows that Partick can’t take anything for granted if they want to make sure they are in tomorrow’s knockout draw.
He said: “We’ve got to go into that game wanting to win it and making sure we’re ready.
“We’ve seen with lower league opposition in the games against Livingston and Airdrie they make it tough for you.
“But if we play like we did against St Mirren it should stand us in good stead.”
Spittal, meanwhile, is hoping his good friend Andy Robertson makes a strong debut for Liverpool against Hertha Berlin tonight after his £10millon move from Hull City.
He and Robertson were team-mates at Queen’s Park and Dundee United and he reckons he deserves his success.
He said: “It’s mental to see how far he’s come in such a short space of time.
“I dropped him a text when the move went through, he probably had a lot of messages.”