RYAN EDWARDS insists Kieran Tierney is the reason Partick Thistle did not earn a Scottish Cup replay in their 3-2 loss at Parkhead on Saturday.
The Australian midfielder believed he was about to score a stoppage-time equaliser until the intervention of the Celtic left-back.
Edwards was left with an opportunity two yards from goal as Chris Erskine fired in a back-post cross and it looked as though he only had to make a connection and the Jags had pulled off a remarkable comeback.
But the Firhill playmaker said: “That’s what happens in those situations. You see the ball hit the net before you hit it.
“It was coming right on my foot and Tierney did ever so well and then the keeper just picked it up.
“It was a great ball from Chris, but it’s Tierney who blocks it. I was in front of him and he just wraps his left leg and it just gets stuck in his legs. He’s defended really well and it’s disappointing we haven’t gone to a replay, at least.”
The Maryhill side looked out of it as early as the 10th minute after James Forrest had fired in two goals on his way to his first-ever hat-trick.
However, a dreadful error from Jozo Simunovic allowed Kris Doolan the opportunity to bring his team back into the game. Forrest claimed a third shortly after the turnaround, but another wasteful pass from the Bosnian international saw Conor Sammon belt a second goal behind Dorus De Vries to set up an nervy ending.
The spirit and courage of Alan Archibald’s men to refuse to fold is the proof Edwards believes will see them climb away from 10th spot in the Premiership.
He added: “I think that says a lot about the team.
“The Celtic game at Firhill a few weeks ago, then the Rangers game, and here and staying in the game and competing really well just shows the group is in it together to try and get out of the position we’re in.”
