International Friendlies

06/30/2007 Partick Thistle 3 Celtic Supporters 1.

The bhoys from Glasgow were back in town for their annual convention and once again they challenged Thistle for a pick up game. If it wasn't hot enough for them last year when we had a 1.00pm kick off, they pushed it forward a couple of hours to 3.00pm when it was 110. Once again Jim Mackay had the press gang working as he rounded up recruits from around the pool as the pale blue bhoys were recovering from their nightly hangovers. The game started at 3.30pm and the rest of the supporters were hanging out in what ever shade was available. Thistle donated a few players to even up the sides in the way of substitutes. Thistle got their attack going and after a couple of chances, Aaron Pottorff latched onto a loose ball to slam it into the net. Thistle controlled the midfield and were passing the ball well. Next to score was Mick who scored in similar fashion to the first. Celtic had a few chances as John Tarver created a couple of chances. It was Thistle though who counter attacked as Mun broke free and slotted the ball past the Celtic keeper. Half time 3-0. A few changes at the half and a little rearranging to even up the game saw the second half a much more even contest. Both sides creating chances but the finishing touches were not there. One of those embarrassing moments in football happen as Phil Holliday found himself wide open as he ran onto to a through pass and beat the offside trap. He found himself wide open with only the keeper to beat. Unfortunately it was as though someone shot him with a sniper rifle as he tumbled to the floor in a heap. Celtic did manage to get a consolation goal to make the game respectable. Final score 3-1. Another fun afternoon in the Vegas sun. Thanks again to the Celtic Supporters for the game. I know by the end of the game they were dying to get back to the hotel pool and suck down some beers.




 

05/19/2006 Partick Thistle 3 Everton/Liverpool Supporters 3

The boys from Merseyside were out in full force today, no less than 24 of them here in Las Vegas for an international friendly. Thistle opened the scoring with an early goal scored by George Varhelyi and piled on some pressure and it took the Mersey boys ten minutes to find their feet and get used to the heat. The game became very evenly matched in the last 30 minutes of the first half with the Liverpudlians equalizing with a quick break-away.

At half-time everyone refueled and slathered on the sunscreen  against the desert heat... Thistle took the lead in the second half again (I think...maybe heat-stroke is kicking in...!) and the Merseysiders quickly equalized.

Both teams were melting in the heat but they struggled on. Thistle created several chances but the Merseyside goalie was up to the task and pulled off some great saves. Eventually PTFC broke through and scored a third goal, quickly followed by a Liverpudlian equalizer.

The game finished 3-3 which, on the whole, was a fair result. Everyone had a good time and we will hopefully see you boys back again next year for a re-match.




 

To view more photos of the Thistle/ Celtic 2005 weekend click on thumbnails below.

June 18th 2005 Partick Thistle  4 Glasgow Celtic Supporters Club 5. Celtic started their pre game warm ups at the Riviera Hotel & Casino where thousands of pale blue Scotsman were wallowing around the pool. After a recruiting session that resembled something like the press gangs of old, they managed to organize a team. After dropping a few names around notably Tommy Boyd of Celtic, Chelsea and of course Scotland they managed to pull out a pretty decent team. Partick Thistle came out in force and brought out all there squad for the occasion. On a hot day like it was you need as many subs as possible. The game got underway and it was Thistle who looked as though they were going to control the early going. Celtic had organized a six man defense that centered around Scotland International Tommy Boyd. Thistle squandered a couple of early chances. As the game progressed Celtic with some good midfield play from ex Manchester City and Stoke player John Tarver,  found the Thistle goal keeper flapping around for the Celtic forward to walk the ball into the net. The first half ended what was turning out to be a good game of football. The second half started with Thistle once again pressing forward. But, with another counter attack and yet another keeper error it was Celtic who took a 2-0 lead. Thistle had to put their game faces on as this was looking embarrassing. It didn't take long as Thistle tested the Celtic keeper for the first time and it was Josh Montgomery who got Thistle's first. That gave Thistle confidence and they pushed forward.  George Varhelyi was causing problems with his pace and eventually scored the equalizer. With the wind at Thistle's back the game started to open up and Thistle took advantage as the heat started to effect the Celtic players. Another goal for Thistle and a fourth should have followed but was called offside. Billy Smith decided to loan out a few of our players to help out as the game was starting to go one sided. The fresh legs on the Celtic side came at the right time as Celtic split the defense and lobbed the ball over the Thistle keeper to tie it up at 3-3. Thistle struck right back with a 25 yard rocket to make it 4-3. It was Celtic though who didn't give up and after a midfield collision involving the Thistle defender and Phil Holliday who introduced what is commonly known as the Glasgow Kiss, Celtic broke clear for the equalizer. At 4-4 time was expiring and it looked as though a draw was going to be a fair result. Players were looking over to referee John Kennedy to blow is whistle but it seemed as though he added an extra 5 minutes of added time. It was enough time though for Celtic to take advantage of a back pass to the keeper who was wrong footed for the Celtic forward to poach the ball and round the keeper for the game winner. Final score 5-4. A lot of fun was had by all and it was off to the Tilted Kilt to summarize the game and down a few beers.