Paton keen to leave Jags feeling blue at Falkirk Stadium today
PAUL Paton had a soft spot for the Falkirk Stadium long before he pulled on the dark blue of the Bairns.
It goes down as the venue where he won the Championship title with Partick Thistle, with the Jags’ 2-0 triumph capping a swashbuckling 2012/13 campaign for Jackie McNamara’s men.
Paton will always remember that achievement – even if his recollections of the celebrations are a little hazy due to the party that followed.
Following five successful years in Maryhill, he remains firm friends with Partick stalwarts Chris Erskine, Kris Doolan and Stuart Bannigan however, with Championship survival the priority, there will be no room for sentiment this afternoon.
Paton said: “I had some great times at Partick Thistle and I felt like a really big part of the club when I was there.
“The season we got promoted was a really enjoyable campaign. Funnily enough we actually got promoted at the Falkirk Stadium, so I’ve always had good memories of this place!
“That feels like a long time ago now and that’s out the window – my only focus now is getting the right result for Falkirk.
“Hopefully I have another good day - in a Falkirk shirt this time.”
Falkirk are bottom but there were signs of life last weekend when they claimed a memorable 1-0 win over Dunfermline.
“We are still bottom of the league and, regardless of the derby win, this week we’ve worked as hard as ever,” said Paton.