Spittal striving to win over fans again

Partick Thistle Airdrieonians

PARTICK THISTLE midfielder Blair Spittal is confident that he can atone for earlier indiscretions and reclaim the affections of the Firhill support.

The 24- year- old returned to Maryhill on a loan deal this month having fallen out of favour at Ross County. However, the Thistle support have not forgotten a cheeky celebration last August as the Highlanders were put out of the League Cup in an entertaining tussle at Firhill.

Having been on the receiving end of a few choice words from the home support, Spittal had scored against his old side before then putting a finger to his lips to shush them, with an inevitable response.

Thistle had the last laugh that day as they won the tie with an extra- time goal and Spittal knows he has a bit of work to do to win back the affection of the Thistle fans.

He went some way to doing it on Saturday with a curling effort that enabled Ian McCall’s side to come from behind to take all three points after Dale Carrick’s opener had been cancelled out by Brian Graham.

“I think it was a bit of banter last year,” said Spittal. “It came back to bite me on the backside and I got the abuse I rightly deserved. I came back here to right a few wrongs and hopefully if I can contribute to victories then I’ll be back in the good books.”

Spittal is keen to get his sharpness back after an eightmonth hiatus and is optimistic that once he is up to speed Thistle will see the benefit.

“It has been a while since I have played football so it was nice to get minutes into the legs,” he said. “It has taken me a while to get going but this week is probably the best I have felt in terms of my sharpness. I am just happy to get on to the pitch and contribute.

“The last game I played was March and when I have been up the road I haven’t had the chance to take part in any football. Coming here was all about getting the chance to get back to playing and enjoying my football. Under the manager I believe I can get back to that.”