Horror sequel not a big draw
Graham admits play-off repeat of Ton stalemate wouldn’t be a box-office hit
BRIAN GRAHAM hopes Partick Thistle and Morton are not on a play-off collision course.
Another Cappielow clash on a pitch he detests wouldn’t be first choice on the striker’s Spring schedule.
Familiarity has bred some contempt after four meetings between these two since early October.
And few, if any, are holding their breath over another two ties with promotion on the line. The quality of entertainment here was low to begin with in the scrap for vital points.
It only dipped further as personal squabbles broke out on the pitch, the benches traded insults and referee Alan Muir dished out 11 yellow cards – including Morton gaffer Dougie Imrie.
A couple of those could easily have been reds and had this been in the top flight, VAR could have persuaded Muir to go for the upgrades.
Thistle striker Graham and Ton stopper Jack Baird were grateful not to be in the technology’s all-seeing glare after squaring up.
Graham grinned: “What happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch. If the ref misses it, he misses it, we move on.”
Graham is confident they can avoid Morton in the play-offs by helping Thistle reel in leaders Queen’s Park.
That’s a tough ask, however, as the Jags are seven points adrift in the title race with just eight games to go and another meeting with a Morton side just two points behind them is a more likely scenario.
After this stalemate Graham said: “That was one of the worst games of football you’re likely to see.
“The pitch is horrific. You’re constantly trying to concentrate on getting a good first touch, because you know it could make you look really silly.
“We knew we were coming down here for a battle and we really had to knuckle down, stand up and be counted.
“We have to take the positives. Morton could’ve gone above us – but they didn’t.”
Since Kris Doolan took charge, the Jags have won three, drawn two and conceded just once to jump up to third.
And after losing two central defenders – on-loan Fulham youngster Connor McAvoy and the experienced Aaron Muirhead – to first-half injuries, a draw was perfectly acceptable to them from a tough away assignment.
Subs Kevin Holt and Darren Brownlie stepped in to restrict the home side’s opportunities and Graham added: “We have two ready-made replacements, and I thought the two boys who came on did great.
“We came with a mindset we were going to get three points but it wasn’t to be. That’s the Championship for you. It’s mental.
“We’re in the play offs spots and we’ve got to just keep going.”
Morton defender Darragh O’Connor revealed boss Imrie has removed any play-off pressure by telling his players just to enjoy the run-in after breaking the 40-point barrier.
O’Connor said: “We met our objective to stay in the league and the gaffer told us to go out and enjoy playing with no pressure until the end of the season.”