Anderson on hand to give Jags a boost
PARTICK THISTLE’S survival hopes got a massive boost with a well-earned victory at Inverness — five days after the Highlanders’ away win over Ayr United.
This was Thistle’s first away triumph of a troubled campaign and their fifth match unbeaten since the turn of the year.
And although they remain second from bottom of the Championship, back-to-back victories following their success against Queen of the South will act as a huge confidencebooster, surely.
Loan signing Steven Anderson also made a significant difference to Gary Caldwell’s side, scoring the opener and generally inspiring his new team-mates.
Having scored twice in the first 25 minutes through Anderson and then Aidan Fitzpatrick, the Jags had to dig in when they conceded a 77th-minute goal, scored by Darren McCauley on his home debut after signing from Coleraine.
But their victory was merited and Caldwell was naturally delighted with the result after pointing out: ‘This is never an easy place to come to and win.
‘We hadn’t won away all season, so this is a massive result and I thought we deserved it.
‘We were excellent in the first half in terms of our attacking play and we could have scored more.
‘At half-time we spoke about the resilience, desire and togetherness needed to win away and we showed that in abundance.’
Caldwell praised his players as a group but was also happy to single out Anderson, recruited temporarily from St Johnstone.
He added: ‘The way he played, he would have thrown himself in front of a bus and will only get better with games.’
Inverness were undone twice in the space of four first-half minutes by inexcusably sloppy defending.
Although the home side’s defence was collectively inept, goalkeeper Cammy Mackay was at fault when Anderson was able to open the scoring after 21 minutes.
And Brad McKay was singularly culpable for the second four minutes later.
Craig Slater’s cross should have been dealt with before Anderson tapped the ball past the home keeper and McKay allowed himself to be dispossessed by Fitzpatrick, who then swept the ball home.
Inverness’ Sean Welsh had a shot held in their first meaningful attack of the match after quarter of an hour and Blair Spittal replied for Thistle, forcing a save from Mackay.
Jordan White also headed over after Thistle had established their two-goal cushion and Slater again posed a threat in response, forcing a save from Mackay from 25 yards.
Thistle might have put the match beyond Inverness on the hour mark but former Caley Thistle player Miles Storey was thwarted by Kevin McHattie’s saving tackle.
McHattie’s challenge turned out to be significant when Inverness hauled themselves back into the match with 13 minutes remaining.
The Partick defenders failed to deal with the bouncing ball when Anderson struck his own crossbar after the ball spun up following his tackle on an Inverness player and McCauley supplied the finish.
But it was too little, too late to inspire a comeback when Thistle dealt with some late pressure to record a crucial victory.
Caley Thistle manager John Robertson must now raise his players’ spirits ahead of their Scottish Cup clash against local rivals Ross County in Dingwall in eight days’ time.