20th Apr 2002 Partick Thistle 1 Raith Rovers 0 (SFL First Division - game 35)

matches:2001-02: ← 50game 5152 →

61y, 1m, 18d	John Lambie	Jocky Scott

Kenny Arthur; Gerry Britton; Paul Walker; Martin Hardie
Kevin Budinauckas; Martin Cameron; Scott McLean; Derek Fleming

Gerry Britton (1-0, 61 mins)
Alex Burns		Nacho Novo

Paul Walker (Martin Cameron, 62 mins); Martin Hardie (Andy S. Gibson, 72 mins); James McKinstry (Stephen Craigan, 90 mins)		Willie Miller (Wilfred Nanou, 33 mins); Ross Matheson (Paul Browne, 69 mins); Hugh Davidson (Mark Jones, 85 mins)

23y, 4m, 13d	Kenny Arthur	Simon Miotto
22y, 9m, 17d	James McKinstry	Willie Miller
24y, 4m, 7d	Alan Archibald	Greig McCulloch
26y, 11m, 1d	Mark McCulloch	Laurie Ellis
29y, 11m, 7d	Scott Paterson	Shaun Dennis
30y, 1m, 29d	Paul Deas	Hugh Davidson
31y, 6m, 0d	Gerry Britton	Ross Matheson
33y, 0m, 14d	Danny Lennon	Darren Henderson
24y, 8m, 0d	Paul Walker	Jay Stein
25y, 11m, 29d	Martin Hardie	Andy Smith
28y, 8m, 16d	Alex Burns	Nacho Novo

27y, 4m, 27d

27y, 7m, 4d	Kevin Budinauckas	Jamie Sweeney
23y, 10m, 4d	Martin Cameron	Paul Browne
20y, 1m, 18d	Andy S. Gibson	Mark Jones
25y, 5m, 22d	Stephen Craigan	Paul Hampshire
33y, 1m, 29d	Jamie Dolan	Wilfred Nanou

TTA report

Although Rovers were already relegated, it took a goal by Britton who knocked in a low cross from Burns (61) to separate the teams after Rovers had hit the bar. No-one cared it wasn't impressive. The presentation of the trophy at the end signalled the start of the celebrations.

Media report

22-Apr-2002, Daily Record

A GLASGOW TEAM WILL WIN THE SPL NEXT YEAR… THAT GIVES US A 1 IN 3 CHANCE; SAYS PARTICK'S STEPHEN CRAIGAN. STEPHEN CRAIGAN is tipping Partick Thistle to complete a title treble next season by winning the SPL. The cocky Irishman skipped half the length of Firhill to collect his First Division championship medal on Saturday. Then he said: “We've won the Second Division title and the First Division back-to-back so who knows, we could make it three in a row. I was told a team from Glasgow will win the SPL next year so Partick Thistle have a one-in-three chance.”

The Jags put on a title party and threw in a win over Raith as a bonus for 6028 fans who made Maryhill rock. Danny Lennon hoisted the trophy aloft and every player milked the cheers of the Firhill faithful as the medals were handed out. And no one partied more wildly than Craigan. The defender was determined to enjoy himself after missing out on Partick's title-clinching win over St Mirren at Love Street last week - the only game he has missed through injury since he signed two years ago. And even as late as Friday night, he feared his damaged ankle would force him sit out the action and the celebrations against Raith Rovers. Craigan said: “I was absolutely gutted to miss out on the match against St Mirren when we won the title. It was the first game I have missed for Partick through injury in the two years I have been here and what a time to get injured. I didn't even think I would feature against Raith but I was determined to play my part. I had no chance of playing on the Friday night as the ankle and was swollen and painful. But I had a late fitness test on Saturday and I felt fine. There was just no way I was going to miss out on the real title party. That will explain my mad celebrations when I picked up my medal. I have been bursting to celebrate for two weeks and all the emotion and pent-up frustration just came out at that moment.” Now Craigan, who has a year of his contract still to run at Partick, can't wait to pit his wits against the best in the SPL and enhance his international chances in the process. Craigan said: “This is the pinnacle of my club career so far. But I still think the greatest honour was when I was called into the Northern Ireland squad for the recent match against Lichtenstein. Although I was on the bench and I never got on it was still a great experience and I was thrilled to be a part of it all. I owe everything to Partick Thistle and John Lambie who rescued my career when I was freed by Motherwell two years ago. Being in the SPL will give me a higher profile to showcase my talent and hopefully I can impress the Northern Ireland selectors enough to gain more international experience. I'm a proud Northern Irishman and would love nothing better than to play for my country. There was a whole family contingent over from Belfast for this game to see me pick up my medal and it is just a great feeling to say that Partick Thistle are an SPL club again.”

A solitary second-half goal by Gerry Britton was enough to send the Jags fans into orbit and ensure that John Lambie's red and yellow army remained undefeated at home in the league this season. Lambie hailed the achievement as the highlight of his career. However, the 61-year-old boss was more intent on talking about his impending holiday in Tenerife than about his future with the Jags. He said: “Partick Thistle have performed a miracle here. This is the highlight of my career without a doubt. A lot of things have been said in the papers which probably shouldn't have been said. Everyone knows John Lambie is always open to a challenge. The situation is that the chairman and I are both going on holiday. I have spoken to him and we will probably sit down and have another chat when we both come back. But I can't wait to have a rest in Tenerife and swing the golf clubs and have a wee jug here and a wee jug there.”

Raith boss Jocky Scott also refused to be drawn on whether or not he had a future with the Kirkcaldy side. When quizzed, his response was, “Pass”.

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