Goalkeeping dilemma for Partick Thistle boss ahead of Ross County visit

Nov 4 2011 By Fraser Wilson

Scott Fox

KID GLOVES Ryan Scully could hold onto the No.1 jersey for PartickThistle ahead of tomorrow's visit of league leaders Ross County.

Scully was thrust into the spotlight on his 19th birthday last Saturday in place of the virus-hit Scott Fox, pictured.

And the fresh-faced shotstopper produced a stunning performance to keep aclean sheet and help the Jags lift their first three points away fromhome this season.

McNamara was giving little away when asked who would be donning the gloves when County come to town.

But he admitted Scully had given him a selection headache. 

Watch full exclusive interview with Jackie McNamara here.

The Firhill gaffer said: "Ryan was excellent last week. He was called upon quite a lot and he answered all the questions.

"We played him at the end of the season to push Foxy on a bit and, to be honest, he deserved his chance.

"It's good for us and good for Foxy aswell that he has competition for his place.

"Ryan was 19 on Saturday and you normally don't see goalkeepers becoming established until they are about 30.

"Butthe game has changed so much now that these guys pick things up quicklyand Sculls has been excellent. He has really come on under the guidanceof Craig Hinchcliffe.

"Age doesn't bother me. If they areperforming well they will keep their jersey and that shouldn't matterif you are in goal or outfield.

"You have to send out the right signal to the whole squad that they have a chance here."

WhileMcNamara has still to decide who will fill the sticks, he has fewerproblems in other areas with the squad almost identical to that whichtravelled to Tayside seven days earlier.

Long term absenteesWillie Kinniburgh and Iain Flannigan remain sidelined. Ryan MacBeth andScott Robertson have resumed training but will not feature againstCounty.

It's three months since the Jags last lost at home butMcNamara has every respect for the visitors from Dingwall who have setthe early pace.

He said: "We said to ourselves at the start ofthe season they would be the team to beat purely and simply because oftheir squad and the budget they have which is superior to every team inthe division.

"But that has put a bit of pressure on them aswell to make a push and get promotion.

"They are currently seven points ahead of ourselves and that is a gap that we really don't want to see growing any bigger."