We’re lucky it was only two, says Jags boss
PARTICK THISTLE boss Alan Archibald admitted his side are fortunate to be facing only a one-goal deficit in the second leg of the Premiership play-off final. Kris Doolan’s early opener for the Jags was swiftly cancelled out by Keaghan Jacobs, before Scott Pittman’s second-half effort handed Livingston the advantage ahead of Sunday’s return in Maryhill. And Archibald conceded Thistle got out of jail after a poor performance saw the travelling support boo their team off the pitch at full-time. Keeper Tomas Cerny made a string of saves to keep Livvy at bay, with Archibald saying: ‘We started making silly decisions towards the end and got caught
in possession a few times. We told the players to try and keep their shape and discipline. ‘But, yeah, it could probably have been more (than 2-1) if it wasn’t for Tomas’ performance. ‘It is half-time in the tie and we’re a goal down. ‘The mentality on Sunday will be simple — go and win the game.’ With Livvy in pole position to clinch a place in the Premiership, Archibald admitted his team simply have to buck up their ideas if they are to preserve their top-flight status. Frustrated with how his team played with so much at stake, he added: ‘We didn’t actually start all that well, to be honest. ‘However, we got the early goal and that sort of disguised our start. ‘But I was really disappointed with the goals we lost. ‘They both came from throw-ins and were really soft. I was disappointed with our overall performance. ‘I didn’t think we had to change our style against Livingston because we have played that shape a number of times over recent weeks. ‘We just didn’t pass the ball well enough. ‘We got drawn into playing long balls, which suited their three centre-halves. ‘That wasn’t our plan, even though we played with two up front. ‘We just couldn’t get our creative players on the ball enough.’ Livingston boss David Hopkin saluted the fighting spirit of his players as they battled their way to victory. Pouncing on their opponents at every opportunity, Livvy were first to every loose ball and richly deserved their 2-1 victory. Only able to name six substitutes, Hopkin said: ‘Our squad’s down to the bare bones and the players gave me everything. ‘The biggest thing about us now is recovery. We’ve only got 15 fit players. It’s about patching players up. ‘It’s going to be a very hard shift on Sunday. I’m so proud of every player. We just need to keep going and defying the odds. ‘Tonight, to win 2-1 at home, it’s great to finish the season at home with a win. I thought they were fantastic. ‘It sums them up — they’ve been like that all season. ‘They give me, the fans and the club every single ounce they have. ‘But it’s only half-time — I just wish the games were played over one leg.’