SCARE TACTICS
Zanatta sure tough love from McCall can kick-start Jags’ season
DARIO ZANATTA believes some tough love from ‘scary dude’ Ian McCall has sparked Partick Thistle’s troubled season to life.
As a Hearts loanee at Raith Rovers and Alloa, the Canadian striker always found the returning Firhill gaffer an intimidating presence in the opposition dugout. Now under McCall’s permanent charge, little has changed.
But Zanatta is convinced the new manager’s menacing demeanour is exactly what the Jags need after losing their way under sacked Gary Caldwell.
The 22-year-old’s opener in Inverness set Thistle on their way to a stunning first league win of the season. The 3-1 triumph took the Maryhill men off the foot of the table on goal difference and broke Caley Thistle’s unbeaten home run of six wins from six in all competitions this season.
Zanatta said: ‘The new manager is all about results. I had the privilege to play against him for the last few seasons and he’s a bit different to the last manager.
‘He has a bit more of an intimidation factor, I feel — and all the boys have responded to that.
‘I remember every time I played against him, I always thought was a scary dude!
‘I think anyone who watches him knows he can be fiery on the sidelines. The first thing he said to us coming in as manager was: “This is a fresh start for everyone”. I think the boys have taken to that. It is a new manager and you want to impress him. I’ve started a few games before but that doesn’t mean my place is safe.
‘Everyone wants to impress him and do well.’
Zanatta’s goal was superb, but he added: ‘I probably could have scored one or two more, but I feel as if I showed a little of what my game is about today.
‘I’m there to get on the ball, take players on and score goals. I feel I did a decent job of that last season for Alloa and it is something I’m looking to build on.
‘There is no reason why I should not be scoring ten to 15 goals in the league this season’
Partick opened the game with fire in their bellies and, inside ten minutes, they were in front.
It was a blinding finish from Zanatta, taking a pass from Stuart Bannigan before, from the left of the ‘D’, hammering a low drive inside the near post from 20 yards out.
Caley Thistle hit back after 21 minutes. From the right flank, Roddy MacGregor swirled in a tremendous cross and found Jordan White straining his neck to smash an eight-yard header into the top of the net.
The equaliser dulled Partick and Caley Thistle looked to capitalise on their fragile spirits.
But Kenny Miller restored Thistle’s lead within two minutes of the second-half restart.
As home defender Jamie McCart dwelled on the ball carelessly, the Jags veteran dispossessed him and strode on to calmly slot a 12-yard finish past Mark Ridgers.
Substitute James Penrice was only just on the field when he crossed for Partick’s third, taken superbly by Cammy Palmer.
Home manager John Robertson felt the match pivoted on McCart’s mistake and was in no mood to go easy on the ex-Celt after the fulltime whistle.
Robertson said: ‘We said to the players at half-time, at 1-1, we need to have a really strong push. We felt Thistle’s confidence would still be fragile. They surrendered the lead and we felt if we could get our noses in front, it would be a platform to win the game.
‘I don’t know what Jamie was thinking about. He has been warned countless times about this Cruyff turn he does and when to take chances and not take chances.
‘It is a ludicrous decision to do it and it has cost us not just the goals, but the game.
‘Our central defenders then decided to change our game plan and go long — and that’s not what we do.
‘Their back four started to win the ball comfortably and midfield were winning the knock-downs.
‘They were showing that bit more hunger than we were. They thoroughly deserved to win the game on that second half.
‘We felt if we could win today, with other results, it could open up a big gap for ourselves, Ayr and Dundee United.
‘To produce a second half like that is very disappointing and frustrating.
‘And as I say, the players were warned of the dangers of a new manager coming in. There shouldn’t have been an attitude problem.
‘We didn’t put the work in it required. But the whole game and outcome turned with one poor decision from our defender.
‘He has got away with it on numerous occasions. There’s no need to do it — play the percentage ball. It’s cost us the match.’
INVERNESS CT (4-2-3-1): Ridgers 7; Rooney 6, Donaldson 6, McCart 6, Tremarco 6; Welsh 6, Vincent 6; Doran (Carson 65), MacGregor 7 (Todorov 73), Storey 6 (Machado 88); White 7. Subs not used: Mackay, McHattie, Trafford, Harper.
Booked: None.
PARTICK THISTLE (4-1-4-1): Fox 7; Williamson 6, Saunders 6 (Gordon 46), McGinty 7, Robson 6 (Penrice 81); O’Ware 7; Cardle 6, Palmer 7 (Cole 90), Bannigan 7, Zanatta 8; Miller 7. Subs not used: Sneddon, Hall, De Vita, Kakay. Booked: Zanatta, Fox, Bannigan. Man of the match: Dario Zanatta. Referee: Don Robertson. Attendance: 2,469.