Partick Thistle manager Kris Doolan was buoyed by his side’s second-half display despite a 2-1 first-leg defeat by Raith Rovers in the cinch Premiership play-off semi-final.
Emphatic first-half strikes from Scott Brown and Lewis Vaughan gave Raith a half-time lead at Firhill and the latter came close with an ambitious strike just after the interval.
But Blair Alston pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute after Brian Graham and Scott Robinson had both headed the ball on and Doolan’s side pressed for an equaliser.
Doolan said: “We have got everything to gain now and essentially Raith have everything to lose. We go there with the attitude that if we play the way we did in the second half and we get the first goal then we can win.
“First half we were poor, we were miles off it, we were slack, we looked tired, but we galvanised each other at half-time and looked a completely different side.
“Going up to Kirkcaldy, we need to show that impetus and be on the front foot for 90 minutes and not just for 45.
“It’s ours to get after now and sometimes it’s difficult to defend a lead. It’s set up for a brilliant semi-final.”
Raith manager Ian Murray stressed the tie was in the balance despite his delight at his side’s first-leg lead.
“To come here and get our noses in front is fantastic,” he said. “We would have liked more because our first-half performance was deserving of being ahead and maybe by a little bit more. It was two fantastic finishes.
“But we knew Partick would come out and throw the kitchen sink at us, and they did.
“It’s still alive, it’s all to play for, I’d be saying the same at 2-0. This league never ceases to amaze people and it’s not going to change any time soon.
“We will have a fantastic support inside our home stadium and we aim to finish the job.”
Rovers goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowski made excellent saves from Graham and Alston in particular as Thistle finished strongly.
“Kevin is becoming a really big presence in our team and the league, because teams are finding it hard to beat him,” Murray said.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. And that's how six English clubs secured UCL next season UCL Woman Champions EPL teams in UCL next year Pep Guardiola's "Worst Season Ever" Ends with a 3rd Place Finish While Others Celebrate Their Best! 2018: Cristiano Ronaldo.2021: Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane.2022: Marcelo, Casemiro, Isco, Gareth Bale.2023: Karim Benzema.2024: Toni Kroos.2025: Luka ...
Chelsea are preparing to open formal talks with Moises Caicedo over a new long-term contract, with negotiations expected to take place in the coming months, according to Fabrizio Romano.The club's intention to secure the Ecuadorian midfielder's future has been in place since March, and the process is now set to move forward.Caicedo, who arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer in a British record &#...
WHAT HAPPENED?Less than an hour after Ronaldo scored in Al-Nassr's final game of the Saudi Pro League season, the 40-year-old said "this chapter is over" in a social media post - hinting he won't play for his current side again. He did not say what his next move would be, though, amid links with Major League Soccer and his first club, Sporting CP.WHAT RONALDO SAIDHe wrote on Instagram on Monday ni...
Liverpool have wrapped up a sensational 2024/25 season in grand fashion. The Reds finally had their moment of glory, lifting the Premier League trophy after their final match against Crystal Palace.Ismaila Sarr and Mohamed Salah traded goals at Anfield to cap off a fruitful campaign. It was indeed a day for the Liverpool faithful to savour, as they watched Virgil van Dijk proudly raise the trophy ...
Man Utd launch move for £50m-rated MbeumoManchester United are eyeing a move for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo after almost sealing Matheus Cunha's transfer from Wolves.After virtually sealing Cunha's transfer, United are now eyeing a move for Brentford star Mbeumo, according to talkSPORT. The Cameroon international had a dream outing with the Bees this season as he appeared in all of their 38 Pre...
Matheus Cunha could take over from Marcus Rashford at Manchester United. (Image: Getty.)Matheus Cunha could effectively be Marcus Rashford’s replacement at Manchester United, with the Red Devils reportedly ready to pay the £62.5million release clause in his Wolves contract. And Rashford, likely to leave after his public falling-out with Ruben Amorim earlier in the season, may be able to...
Manchester United have included Alejandro Garnacho in their squad for their post-season tour (Image: GETTY)Manchester United have confirmed their 32-man squad for their post-season tour to Asia. And there is a place for Alejandro Garnacho, despite the fact he has been tipped to exit the club this summer.Garnacho was left out of the starting line-up for the Europa League final on Wednesday evening ...
Arne Slot (Image: Getty)Liverpool chief Arne Slot has hailed Michael Jordan as the epitome of success and is urging his squad to draw inspiration from the basketball titan as he aims to carve out a legacy at Anfield. The Reds are poised to hoist the Premier League silverware at Anfield for the second occasion in five years, despite many players experiencing both triumph and near misses under Jurge...
Bryan Mbeumo scored 20 Premier League goals for Brentford this season (Image: Getty)Manchester United have reportedly initiated talks with Bryan Mbeumo over a summer transfer. The Cameroon international, 25, was in unstoppable form for Brentford this season, starting every single one of their 38 Premier League games, scoring 20 goals and laying on seven assists.With Mbeumo entering the prime years...
Ruben Amorim addressed Old Trafford after Sunday's game (Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)Ruben Amorim's departure from Sporting CP was an emotional watershed moment, as players were left in tears over his exit. Between 2020 and 2024, Amorim had a glorious run at the helm of the Primeira Liga club, bagging three league titles along with three domestic cups, until Manchester United shelled o...
- 1 Liverpool vs Crystal Palace Prediction 25 May 2025
- 2 Chelsea making progress over Caicedo deal
- 3 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 4 Amorim promises revival after disaster
- 5 Man City target right-back Tino Livramento
- 6 Man United man makes stunning claim
- 7 Man City suffer Wirtz alternative blow
- 8 Goodbye Jack Grealish?! Pep Guardiola axes Man City star from squad for crucial Fulham clash as transfer talk continues to swirl
- 9 Manchester United vs Aston Villa Prediction 25 May 2025
- 10 Ronaldo appears to confirm Al-Nassr exit