TALKING THISTLE Ziggy admits hewasthrown into a tizzy by Queens antics

PARTICK THISTLE defender Ziggy Gordon accused the Queen of the South players of disrespect after they were guilty of some gamesmanship at the end of their Betfred Cup match.

But it all went to show how fiercely contested this Betfred Cup match was right up until injury time when Thistle stopper Andy Dowie went down in his own box with a head injury, and the ball was dutifully kicked out of play.

The Doonhamers then chose not to throw it back sportingly and instead put it into the Thistle area in their frantic search for an equaliser, only for it to be cleared seconds before the final whistle.

Gordon and his team-mates were less than impressed with tempers raised at the end of this 2-1 win for the impressive Jags.

Gordon said: “I thought they were disrespectful at the end when they didn’t give us the ball back. A few words were exchanged on the park – all above board of course – and I don’t think they will do it again.

“We made sure they knew what we thought about it all at the time. It wasn’t good to see. So I’m glad we won.”

But that was the only black mark on a good day for Gordon’s new team.

Queen of the South may have taken the lead a minute into second-half and Thistle’s two goals, from Chris Erskine and Steve Lawless, came in the 83rd and 90th minute.

But it was the home men who were by far the better team.

The Championship side also hit the woodwork three times and missed a couple of good chances themselves.

Close to 2500 were in the ground and they were served up some decent fare, with Alan Archibald’s side in particular playing some entertaining football.

PARTICK boss Alan Archibald said after the match there hadn’t been enough of a goals tally in recent years. That could change.

“I didn’t want to come to a team that was going to struggle and that’s why I came here,” said Gordon, who moved from Hamilton in the summer. “I have never been part of a better squad and I have high hopes for this season.

“I am confident because I know how good we are. We are strong from one to 25. Anyone from the squad could come into the team and I know they would be good enough for us to win.

“I wouldn’t want to put a place on where we will finish, but we are going to have a good season. I have been really impressed with the quality we have here. There are good players in every position.”

Gordon had a hand in the winner and enjoyed a fine game at right-back. He added: “I was at Hamilton for so long I thought it might be difficult to walk into a new dressing-room, but it’s been easy. Everyone has made me feel at home.

“It’s been a good start to the season so far. Playing well as a team has helped me fit in. I’ve really enjoyed it and I can’t wait for the league season to begin.”

Dowie is a good defender, Erskine is a real talent when he is in the mood, Ade Azeez has something about him and while you never quite know what you are going to get with Mathias Pogba, he was terrific when he got on in the second-half and had a big say in both goals.

Before a ball is kicked, you would say Thistle are stronger than Hamilton and Kilmarnock, and probably one or two others. Gordon may well be right in his claim Thistle won’t struggle.