Partick Thistle defender John Robertson has a record of played three and won one in Challenge Cup Finals and he is out to improve on that record to having played four and won two by the end of this season’s competition. Robertson is also hoping that his new travelling companion can score enough goals to keep a former car sharer quiet when the Jags meet up with Ayr United in the Quarter Final of The ALBA Challenge Cup.
Ayrshire based Robertson said, “I travel to training everyday with Kris Doolan who scored last weekend at Cowdenbeath.
“I used to travel back and forth with Mark Roberts, who is an incredibly bubbly character and someone I have known since we were both 10-years-old. Mark was always going on about the goal that he scored for Airdrieonians in the 2001 Challenge Cup Final.
“It would be great to travel to Firhill next week talking about Kris’ goals winning the game as opposed to dreading a phone call from my old mate Mark.”
Robertson’s first Challenge Cup Final was back in 1996 when he was part of a Second Division Stranraer squad that reached the Final at Broadwood against First Division St. Johnstone. The Stair Park side caused a shock by winning 1-0 with Robertson saying, “That was a long time ago but I remember it well because it was played on a horrible November day with a slate grey sky and persistent rain.
“We had one shot at goal all day when Jimmy Hughes fired in a 45 yard free kick that Alan Main spilled and although Tommy Sloan claimed the goal, it looked as though Danny Griffin got the final touch to put the ball into his own net.”
The then 20-year-old said, “I got on near the end as a substitute as we were a wee bit under the cosh. I played in my usual wing back role and hopefully relieved some of the pressure to help get us over the finishing line.”
Robertson stayed at The Blues until the end of the season before continuing in his wing back berth at Ayr United, St. Johnstone, Ross County and Hamilton Academical before joining Thistle in 2006 when Dick Campbell brought him on board.
“It was the first year that Thistle had come up to the First Division and we stayed up,” said Robertson before adding, “We have been here ever since looking up the way not down.
“My entire career has been in the First Division with the exception of my early days at Stranraer and a year I had down in England with Oxford United in season 2000/01.”
Former Sunderland boss Denis Smith took Robertson south with the defender saying, “I am not sure how I was spotted but I went to Oxford in-between spells at Ayr United.
Unfortunately, Denis took unwell shortly into my spell and it became a bit of a revolving door for Managers thereafter. I just stayed for the one season and came back up the road.”
Robertson left Ayr in 2002 to join the Perth club he helped defeat back at Broadwood however, it was with Ross County and then the Accies that Robertson reached the Final of the Challenge Cup in successive seasons only to suffer defeat.
Falkirk defeated County 2-1 in November 2004 with a St. Mirren side including Thistle Goalkeeping Coach, Craig Hinchcliffe, as a substitute lifting the trophy 12 months later again with a 2-1 win scoreline over Hamilton Accies.
Robertson is a fan of the competition despite his double heart-break saying, “I still look on it as a good competition and one that every club wants to do well in.
“It helps build momentum that can be transferred into League games and you can get a bit of a head of steam going by doing well in the Challenge Cup. That has to be our aim this season.”
As well as looking to progress to the Semi-Final stages, the Maryhill side are also looking to bounce back from a stuttering start in the IRN-BRU SFL First Division that has seen them defeat Dundee at home and then lose to Cowdenbeath away.
Robertson said, “After last Saturday’s game, we were back in working hard on Monday and Tuesday, had a day off on Wednesday before getting back into practice for this game on Thursday and Friday.
“We are getting on with our work and I am sure if there is a big turn-out from the Thistle fans, the boys will get a huge lift from that.”
The Irvine born defender is looking forward to facing his former side saying, “I always look forward to playing Ayr as I always get a good reception from their fans. I will also see Mark again which is great but I will need to mark him tightly as he has a great touch and fantastic ability.”
As for another Cup Final, Robertson said, “I would love to get another winners’ medal. I have the one from my time with Stranraer but of course, I have missed out on two Cup Finals since.
“I also missed out when Stranraer won the Second Division Championship as I was just 17 and did not feature often enough.
“However, we are a good bit away from a Cup Final just now and have to deal with my old Ayr side first.”
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