Graham’s out to make point – and nail silver lining
ARBROATH v PARTICK TH
BRIAN GRAHAM didn’t bank his bonus for the goal that never was but money couldn’t buy a silver-laden Sunday – as long as the right ribbons are on the trophy.
Graham, 36, will seek to lead Partick Thistle’s men’s side seven points clear in third at Arbroath today after ending their winless streak against Morton.
Then 24 hours later he’ll swap goal-getting for gaffer duties as the women’s team go for SWPL Cup Final glory at Tynecastle.
Graham may be busy but his shooting boots haven’t suffered, with 21 for the season. Two more were chalked off against Dunfermline last month, the second an offside that bordered on bewildering.
His gaffer memorably grabbed a “ghost goal” in 2018 that rippled the net yet wasn’t given, only for the Jags to pay out and Kris Doolan to give it to charity.
Asked if he ever saw his own goal bonus, Graham laughed and said: “Did I f***. They discussed it then said, ‘He’s not getting it!’ They went with the ref.
“Two goals that day and two at Airdrie earlier in the season so I should be on 25 – just pointing that out...
“The confidence was always there. We concentrate on ourselves and forget the noise outside. Morton were probably coming here thinking they were going to win and go above us.
“But we stretched the gap over them and now it’s about trying to keep that gap as big as possible.”
It’s a busy weekend for Graham, who geared up for it with an appearance on BBC show A View from the Terrace, and was presented with a trophy early.
He added: “There were actually green and white and blue and white ribbons on it, I made them change it to yellow and red so we had to do that part twice!”
On tomorrow, Graham said: “Everybody in the country expects Rangers to win, apart from me, my staff and my players. We believe we can win.”
Ryan Dow admits the next 10 days are massive for Arbroath as Thistle, Dunfermline and Airdrie all visit Gayfield.
The Red Lichties winger knows they have to turn their season around to have any chance of survival.
Dow said: “Everyone at the club is still positive, you see in this league how runs can flip a season and turn a team’s fortunes.”