STAY ON GRASS, SAYS PATERSON
PARTICK THISTLE assistant manager Scott Paterson is adamant he woud never swap a grass pitch for a synthetic surface — even though the Jags have had four games called off this season.
The Maryhill side are optimistic t omorrow’s home clash with Aberdeen will get the go-ahead despite already seeing three home games postponed.
Thistle, who were also inactive last weekend due to a waterlogged pitch at Tynecastle, face a fixture pile-up with three games in hand over the likes of Kilmarnock and Hamilton.
But despite their rivals enjoying the certainty a plastic pitch brings, Paterson hopes there are no plans afoot for Partick to follow suit.
‘The club is losing money because of the call-offs and the state of the pitch and I’m sure the people upstairs will be looking at that,’ he said.
‘I could see why clubs like Partick Thistle could go down that route but I’d rather stay on grass all day long.
‘Hopefully the weather stays dry and it will have a good chance of being on.
‘It’s the Scottish climate, what can you do? I’m sure it will be fine.’
Paterson admits the practical issues presented by a string of calloffs has been tough to deal with.
‘It is really frustrating. We were two minutes from Tynecastle last weekend when we were told our game was off.
‘You just have to get on with it. Players would rather play games.
‘There is nothing we can do and we will just have to catch up. We have a big enough squad when everybody is fit.’
Paterson and boss Alan Archibald have a full squad to choose from and will expect to face an Aberdeen side still smarting from Monday’s controversial defeat at Inverness.
‘ We know what’s coming as Aberdeen are pushing to win the title. That’s great for Scottish football and I believe they have a good chance,’ Paterson added.
‘They will want to bounce back from Monday night’s defeat as they will be hurting.
‘That’s why we need to make sure that everybody is at the top of their game when they pull on the Partick shirts and be positive enough and get a good result.’