(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
They might not have been on the winning side, but that didn’t stop Ian McCall lavishing his Partick Thistle debutants Darian MacKinnon and Zak Rudden with praise.
The Jags lost out 2-1 to Celtic in the Scottish Cup on Saturday. Goals from Leigh Griffiths and Callum McGregor sealed the Hoops’ victory, with a Stuart Bannigan penalty only a consolation.
Bannigan netted a consolation. (Photo by Christian Cooksey/Getty Images)
Both MacKinnon and Rudden were making their debuts in this match. MacKinnon had arrived from Hamilton whilst Rudden had made a permanent switch from Rangers ahead of the cup tie.
The former Accies man lasted just over an hour whilst Scotland youth international Rudden was replaced shortly afterwards. Both were given warm receptions as they made their way off in front of the Colin Weir stand.
McCall was happy with the two of them, praising the pair’s ‘honesty.’
MacKinnon was one Partick Thistle debutant. (photo by Vagelis Georgariou/Action Plus via Getty Images)
“I think there’s an honesty about them that I love,” said McCall. “It reminds me of the boys I had at Ayr United. Darian’s not played for a good while and he’s fit, just not match fit.
“Our fans are going to absolutely love Zak Rudden. In Scotland if you work exceptionally hard fans tend to love you.
“I was very pleased with both of them and I think they will be big players for us.”