The first game played in the Scottish Professional Football League takes place tonight when First Division Champions Partick Thistle meet a Dundee United side managed by former Firhill boss Jackie McNamara at Firhill.
Prior to kick off for the game that is being shown live by new Broadcast partner BT Sport, Thistle will unveil a bright yellow and red flag that marks their achievement in the final season of SFL First Division football.
The significance of that event together with their entry into the Premiership has grown on Firhill Manager Alan Archibald who said: “It hit home this week during our build up just how big a week it is for everyone at the club. It is a fantastic game for us to be involved in as it marks the start of a new league set up and we are delighted to be involved in it.”
“We all wondered if the ‘super-computer’ would come up with us playing Dundee United at home in the first week due to the connections between the clubs and it did. We also thought that it may get switched to the Sunday but thankfully it is on the Friday and also the first game live on BT Sport.”
The Jags won their title by an eleven point margin and the players that achieved that triumph have by and large remained at Firhill with Archibald saying: “We kept the core of the team together by signing the players up quite quickly at the end of last season. I then went about adding to that group and that was quite a bit of work but I am happy with where we are although I am not finished yet as I would like a bit more firepower. “
The Jags recruited Mexican Gabriel Rojo de la Vega Piccolo for a central defensive role from Rayo Vallecano's B side, with the 23-year-old being known as simply ‘Gabriel’ at Firhill. Joining him are former Hamilton Accies player Gary Fraser who has joined on loan from Bolton Wanderers, Paul Gallacher who has played in goal for Scotland and Mark Kerr who has played in Scotland’s top flight for both Dundee United and Aberdeen.
There are others coming on board as well with ex-Don Isaac Osbourne joining up with striker John Baird, who has seen service with a number of Scottish clubs, on-loan Liverpool front man Henoc Mukendi and Simon Colina Dominguez who was the captain of the Barcelona Under 19 side last season all wearing red and yellow stripes this season.
Archibald who was overseeing his first summer as a manager put in many hours trying to get players on board as he explained: “I have ploughed through a fair few CV’s this summer. It became apparent that we could not get some of the players we had identified at the end of last season as we just could not compete so I had to do something different.”
“I used a lot of contacts, looked everywhere and probably spoke to every agent there is to get people in. It has been a long search and I have had to be patient to get the right guys in.”
This evening will show how well the old and new have integrated with Archibald adding: “It will be a great night for Partick Thistle as we look back on last season and look to get this season started.”
Whilst Archibald can enjoy the raising of the Championship Flag he is unsure how his opposite number will be feeling as he explained: “It will be a strange night for Jackie as no-one can deny that, along with his assistant Simon Donnelly, he put the wheels in motion for winning the First Division. He put us on the road to success and whilst it did not end so well for him here it is water under the bridge as far as I am concerned.”
“He may get a frosty reception from some fans but he should be proud of his record here. However hopefully he will be leaving Firhill as a defeated manager this time.”
McNamara starts his first full season as a Dundee United manager in familiar surroundings as he returns to Partick Thistle’s Firhill where he was the manager until January. He left them top of the First Division and ironically a win for the Tannadice men would put Thistle at the foot of the Premiership until the outcome of the remaining 5 games over the weekend are known.
The 39-year-old is excited for the season ahead saying: “Our pre-season has been excellent and I am glad that the serious stuff starts now. When we were in Germany we played games against hard, physical sides who were further ahead of us in terms of their preparations and that was hard going but it all helped.”
“We stepped things up with a good win over Dunfermline and then we had a great workout in the 1-0 win at Wigan.”
United have undergone a transformation this summer with Jon Daly, Barry Douglas, Willo Flood, Johnny Russell and Brian McLean amongst the departures with a familiar face coming back to help out.
McNamara said: “The new boys have all settled in well especially when you consider we had a lot of new faces. Some of the boys of course know each other David Goodwillie was obviously here before.”
Calum Butcher and Kudus Oyenuga were at Tottenham together, Paul Paton and Chris Erskine were at Partick Thistle as well for a few years and Aidan Connolly and Andrew Robertson have both came in from Queen’s Park.
McNamara added: “Andrew is in the first team squad with Aidan gaining some experience in the under-20’s. Brian Graham is well known from playing in the First Division so the squad is gelling well together as it is.”
Kick off cannot come quick enough for the former Scotland and Celtic player who said: “It would have been nice to open such an exciting new season at Tannadice but to be honest I was half expecting this fixture to start our season. The game is opening the Premiership season so it is an exciting game to be involved in being the first in a new league set up and the first in a new TV deal.”
As for Thistle and their success that will be marked ahead of kick off, McNamara said: “It will be a special evening for everyone connected with Partick Thistle or who have been connected with Partick Thistle. Simon Donnelly and I are proud of what we achieved in our time at the club. Paul and Chris should be as well.”
“Whilst we are proud of what we achieved at Firhill but I want to be leaving there with the 3 points.”
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