Revitalised squad is a shot in the arm for Jags

Everything is starting to look up for Partick Thistle after their Scottish Cup fourth-round win coincided with the return of several key players.

Thistle have been plagued by injuries so far this season, with a number of key personnel absent for the majority of the campaign, but Saturday’s 2-1 win over Queen of the South could prove a turning point.

Conor Sammon, pictured below, scored either side of a fluke Ross Fergusson goal to secure a place in the fifth round, but the return of several important players was just as satisfying for manager Alan Archibald.

“Callum Booth has been out for six months but was up and down the line all day and Abdul Osman settled back in really well,” the Jags boss said. “Muzzy [Mustapha Dumbuya] we didn’t want to risk on the astroturf with his knee.

“We’re delighted to get the lads back, with young [James] Penrice as well, and it’s the first time we’ve had to leave somebody out.

“Eight or nine times in the first half of the season we’ve only had five subs so it’s great to have them back and it gives me decisions to make.”

Not only did he welcome most of his long-term casualties back, but Archibald also saw Sammon pick up where he left off before the winter break.

After struggling during the early part of the season, Sammon has scored three goals in two matches and there is a feeling that the striker is approaching top form. Archibald said: “He admitted the break came at the wrong time. He was a real handful and I’m delighted he got his goals.”

It was a frustrating day for Queens, who enjoyed a number of chances and were unlucky to crash out.

Fergusson looked lively, with assistant manager Dougie Anderson saying: “It was a very mature performance against Premiership opposition, I was delighted with him.”