Caretaker makes a not so valid point

Dundee United 1 Partick Thistle 1 Thompson 12 Waddell 85 Gallacher McCunnie McGowne McCracken Duff O'Donnell Miller Easton McIntyre Lilley Thompson Arthur Craigan Chiarini Whyte Buchan Archibald Burns Paterson Hardie Britton Mitchell Subs: Hamilton for Thompson 70.

Not used: Combe, Lauchlan, Paterson, Smart.

Booked: Easton 69.

Referee: S Dougal.

Subs: Walker for Mitchell 15, Gibson for Walker 58, Waddell for Buchan 84.

Not used: Budinauckas, Milne.

Attendance: 6,369.

SOMEBODY somewhere doesn't want Paul Hegarty to keep the Dundee United manager's job on a permanent basis.

A second late capitulation in consecutive weeks, which allowed Partick sub Ricky Waddell to rescue the point which kept the Tannadice side rock bottom of the Premierleague for yet another week, mean the chances are that chairman Eddie Thompson won't want him to do so either when he ponders his final decision after Tuesday's rearranged CIS cup tie against Airdrie.

Hegarty's record from his time as Aberdeen manager reads seven wins from 19 games, but it seems increasingly unlikely he will get many further opportunities to embellish his statistics. This is despite the evident goodwill of the players and the sterling efforts of reborn Scotland striker Steven Thompson who had given his side the advantage with his sixth goal of a prolific season.

After the game, Hegarty claimed his own cause had not been lost, even if his voice had. "We didn't lose the game, although obviously we'd have liked the three points," Hegarty said, in his trademark rasping style. "I think he [the chairman] said the other day that a decision would be made after the Airdrie game. He's a man of his word, and after Tuesday we will have a clearer indication."

With only six months remaining on the home goalscorer's contract, there was also positive news for Tannadice regulars that more talks were planned between Thompson, the owner, and Thompson, the striker. "We have had one discussion with the chairman and I am having another meeting with him towards the end of the month," the Scotland striker said. The more worrying news is that the player sustained a dead leg in a first half challenge and must be doubtful for Hegarty's make-or- break cup tie with Airdrie United.

John Lambie, meanwhile, once again had praise for the workrate of his side, claiming they even deserved to win the game by virtue of their second half showing. "We are creating chances and if you are doing that you have always got a chance."

There were also words of qualified praise for Daniele Chiarini, the former Udinese defender, who after a fine display in midweek against Dundee's other team, once again marshalled the back three, allowing Scott Paterson to beef up the midfield. The Italian's only mistake was in being outjumped by Thompson for the opening goal. "Some people think when they have a good game they're a world beater," Lambie said. "They've got to realise that I wouldn't have him if he was a world beater."

It took Thompson just 12 minutes to put Partick on the back foot once again. Stuart Duff whipped over a cross from the left and Thompson followed the trajectory intently, used an arm to lever himself, and powered a near-post header beyond Kenny Arthur.

Shortly after the goal, Thistle's Jamie Mitchell hobbled off to be replaced by Paul Walker. It was another blow for the visitors. Up until that point Mitchell, who was last seen hobbling about on crutches with a hamstring problem, had been one of the game's better performers. He had scooped a headed knock-down from Martin Hardie over the bar from six yards, and there was even more danger as he wriggled past two men on the touchline and tested Paul Gallacher at his near post.

The second half contained more for the crowd to get excited about. Kevin McGowne curled a free-kick which Arthur touched wide, but Thistle were dominating more and more.

Jamie Buchan's low shot was palmed away by Gallacher after Gerry Britton and then Martin Hardie broke quickly onto a Charlie Miller mistake. Wing-back Alan Archibald twice went close. The crescendo of attacks seemed to have been reached when a hand-ball claim against David McCracken was dismissed.

But as Stephen Craigan lined up a long throw one minute later, few suspected its destination would be Waddell, the winger released by Falkirk in the summer, who had only entered the field of play a minute earlier.

But the ball broke to him, and he looped his header beyond Gallacher and in via the underside of the bar and the inside of the post. It was his first goal for the club and his first in the Premierleague, but was it his first touch? "No," he said. "I sclaffed my first touch." Such ironies will not have been lost on Hegarty.

Copyright 2002
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