Venue: Easter Road, Edinburgh
Opponents: Hibernian
Attendance:9,286
Final Score: 3-2
Scorers: Britton, Burns, Rowson / Brown, Jack
Misc:
- Gerry Collins takes over from John Lambie as Thistle manager.
- Chic Charnley makes his last ever appearance.
Match Reports:
LUCKY CHARN SAYS CHEERIO AS JAGS FINISH ON A HIGH; HIBERNIAN…………2 PARTICK THISTLE….3.
CHIC CHARNLEYbowed out of Scottish football with a wink and a smile as new Partick Thistle boss Gerry Collinsgave him a cameo role at Easter Road.
The controversial but always colourful midfielder climbed off the bench five minutes from time to say farewellto his adoring fans.
Charnley, 40 next month, said: "Gerry sprung it on me. John Lambie left the team up to him and Bobby McCulley so I have got to thank him for doing it. I appreciated that. It was a lovely reception from the Hibs fans, too.
"I had a good time at Easter Road and would like to thank their fans, it was magnificent.
"It wasn't like the usual end-of-season match, there was plenty of passion about our team and it was a good game to watch.
"More importantly, it was a good start for Gerry and Bobby. Although the result didn't really matter, we wanted to win."
He may be hanging his boots up but Charnley can still contribute for Lambie.
Cheeky Chic added: "He's going to write a book and I'm scared what he's going to put in it.
"But I will wring his pigeons' necks if I'm in it!"
Charnley reckons Collins is the right man for the job but he knows matching Lambie's success will be difficult.
He added: "Anybody taking over from John Lambie, even Martin O'Neill, is on a hiding to nothing.
"Gerry has to be given time to bring in his own ideas but he played a big part in the success we had with the gaffer and made a lot of decisions that went unseen so he won't be far away."
Thistle's players certainly responded to Collins at Easter Road as the sides produced a thriller.
Outgoing Matt Jack headed home a Derek Riordan cross after eight minutes to put Hibs in front but Gerry Britton levelled in the 28th minute with a stunning half-volley.
Six minutes later Hibs were back in front, rising star Scott Brown coolly knocking home a perfect cross from Steven Whittaker.
Thistle were determined to make it the best possible farewell for Lambie before his retirement.
David Rowson drove past Colgan to make it 2-2 and Alex Burns, on what could be his last appearance for the Jags, sealed the victory with a diving header four minutes from the end.
Former Motherwell striker Burns, who has netted 18 times this season, is out of contract and Collins said: "Alex has been made an offer and if he accepts it good, if not, then we wish him well wherever he goes.
"All the players know the parameters we can go to and I would like to think he will still be here next season.
"His agent is on holiday just now and I'm going on holiday on Monday so we will sort it out when we get back."
MAN OF THE MATCH
Scott Brown (Hibs)
Programme:
Pictures:
Checked DR, BBC,