Partick Thistle vs Raith Rovers preview - Paton out as Thistle chase title

Posted Tuesday, April 16, 2013 by PA

Partick Thistle captain Paul Paton will miss out through a knee injury as the Jags look to defeat Raith at Firhill and clinch the First Division in front of their home fans.

Aaron Muirhead serves the second game of his four-match ban following his sending off in the Ramsdens Cup Final and Hugh Murray is absent due to a foot problem, with Jordan McMillan unlikely to feature after a recent illness.

A win would see SPL return for the first time in nine years and player-manager Alan Archibald said: "It has been a long time since we were there. To win the tTitle in front of our fans is a huge incentive.

"However, we need to play to do it as our games with Raith have been really tight."

Raith Rovers miss only striker Pat Clarke, who has a groin injury, as they look to bounce back from Saturday's 1-0 defeat from Cowdenbeath.

The Kirkcaldy side's player-manager Grant Murray played for Partick when they were last in the SPL and he said: "I have seen Firhill packed and know that it can be a noisy, intimidating place and we are likely to face that but I am sure we will handle it.

"I was disappointed with our display at the weekend but we have played well against Partick in the league this season.

"We have had two draws and a 3-2 defeat so it would nice to get the win and end the season all square with them."