Keown: ‘We’re like dad and Tony Adams’
AS the son of Arsenal legend Martin, Partick Thistle defender Niall Keown knows the value of having warriors in your team.
From the early ’90s and for almost a decade on, his father shared a fearsome partnership with Tony Adams at the heart of the Gunners’ central defence.
It was a double act in which both men stood out for the sheer physicality of their play, as well as their complete commitment to the cause.
Keown junior has only played one match alongside Jags new signing Conor Sammon but already he sees similar qualities in the Irishman.
“Conor has come in and he is a real man, which I will help us when things get tough,” he said.
“Especially in this league where there are some real battles, I really do think his physicality can help.
“Against Celtic everyone could see his size and the way he uses it.
“I’ve played against him myself and it is not easy, let me put it that way.
“And sometimes whether or not the game is won or lost comes down to whoever wins the battle – it is as simple as that.
“Conor will definitely be an important player for us on that front and he gives us an outlet as well if we need that.”
Thistle lost Friday night’s game against the champions 1-0 but should have had at least the chance from the penalty spot to take a point with Nir Bitton clearly seen to push Miles Storey over in the box in the final minute.
“We are definitely disappointed not to draw,” said Keown, who plays in his father’s central defensive role.
“We were awarded a penalty midweek against St Johnstone where Kevin Nisbet was fouled going away from goal and it was probably a similar thing against Celtic.
“I don’t know what the referee maybe saw from his angle, but from where I was it looked like a penalty.
“But we can take positives from our performance because we were solid as a team and talked well – we can go forward from here.”