Seb Drozd crossed the city to join Partick Thistle from Queen’s Park and he was outstanding as the Jags claimed a confidence-boosting 2-0 victory over Livingston at Firhill.
The 23-year-old, London-born winger, may not have featured on the scoreline but his influence was without question as Thistle deservedly earned the three points against a Lions side who is expected to challenge for promotion.
Man of the Match Drozd, who wrote himself into Scottish cup history with the game-winner for Queen’s Park in their sensational win over Rangers, told BBS Scotland Sport: “It was good. It was a comfortable win and we have a good relationship which helps us.”
Mark Wilson, Thistle’s manager, felt his men could have scored more, but he was happy.
He is comfortable with his men being quoted as favourites for the Championship and he added: “I’d rather be that than scraping at the bottom. I hope we keep that intensity up.”
Earlier, Wilson made three changes to the Thistle line-up following their narrow 1-0 win over Greenock Morton and Livi boss Glenn Whelan made no alterations after their 2-0 opening day victory over Queen’s Park.
Of course, the pair met in the Premier Sports Cup at Almondvale and it was 1-1 at the end of normal time, but the Glasgow combine won on penalties and it was Livingston who pressed first.
They won a corner on the right in the third minute, but Robertson nodded the ball over the bar.
It was the home side who opened the scoring with a fine goal inside the first five minutes. The ball was fed down the right wing by Drozd and delivered at pace into the danger area by McPherson and Crawford deftly nudged the ball home.
Drozd then worked his way along the edge of the box before sending a left-foot shot just wide of Prior’s upright.
Carey was causing problems for the home defence down the right but that man Drozd had another opportunity in an entertaining game.
Livingston’s longest serving player, Pittman latched on to a ball on the edge of the box. The 34-year-old showed great technique to send a dipping shot towards goal, but he and the travelling fans were frustrated when it rebounded from the crossbar.
Minutes later, Patrick’s Smyth was sent clear and his shot forced Prior to dive full length to parry. Then Samuel attempted an overhead kick but the ball ended up on the left flank and was re-cycled back into the danger area by McPherson.
His shot was deflected by Livingston’s MacPherson and the ball ended up in the net. The second goal arrived after 44 minutes and the home fans in the WrightKerr Stadium at Firhill ceebrated. The goal left Whelan with problems to solve.
Livi made a change at the start of the second half, Van Hoeven coming on, and Fati sent over an inviting cross which found Robertson unmarked in the area. He headed well wide and knew he should have done better.
Thistle goalkeeper McFarlane, on loan from Hearts, was forced to save from a Kabongolo header as Livi continued their assault, and Fati had a chance following a neat move, but Thistle broke and that man Drozd tested Prior at the near post.
Whelan made another three changes to get back into the game, McGowan, Polworth and Anderson coming on, and Muirhead set up Polworth but he blasted wide from a good position.
Thistle were not out of this game and hard-working Drozd, born to Romanian parents, fired from distance only to see Prior collect before Sinclair tried to open Livingston’s account but fired wide.
As the clock ticked on the home side had everybody behind the ball to protect what they had. It worked as Livi probed but the tight Thistle defence had all the answers.
