Partick Thistle manager Jackie McNamara has explained the omission from his side of experienced midfielder Hugh Murray in Sunday’s Ramsdens Cup1-0 semi-final success over Cowdenbeath.
Murray, a winner of the tournament when he was with St Mirren in 2005, was left out as McNamara felt his side were going to be under pressure from the Blue Brazilians in the air as he explained, “The Central Park pitch is so narrow that I knew we would have to deal with an increased aerial threat with long throws into the box and at corners.”
“When that happens you need to win your second balls and I left Hugh out because we were changing the system to cope with that. He will miss Saturday’s game against Airdrie due to suspension so it was already in my mind to leave him out for this one.”
The former Scotland internationalist reckons the change worked as he added, “I thought that we dealt with it fantastically and I was particularly pleased for Conrad Balatoni. He came in for his first start in a while and I thought was outstanding.”
“It was difficult having to leave players out as they are all great lads who want to start every game which is great. The most important thing is that everyone is making a contribution to the success of the Club at the moment.”
.png){kind=logo}
