Reading happy with back-to-back away wins

Saturday 17th October, 2026 at 2:29pm

Last night Paddy Reading tasted victory at Somerset Park as a visiting player for the very first time as he played his part in a 1-0 Thistle win against his former employers Ayr United.

The defender, who spent five years with the Honest Men, maintained his Championship ever-presence as the Jags made it three wins in a row and, speaking after full-time, he detailed the joy of getting another victory on the board.

“We’re delighted, naturally. It’s now back-to-back away games where we’ve taken maximum points so we’re all very pleased with that. That’s something that we have to try to take into Tuesday night because it’s going to be another hard one.”

Next Paddy gave us an insight into the way the team is feeling currently having started October with a trio of wins.

“I think we’re pretty confident going into any game at the moment. We trust the way that we play and the process behind it and that gives us belief going into each match.

“Everyone here knows that we have what it takes to beat anyone in this league but we also know that teams will make you look silly if you don’t do the hard work so we’ll never shy away from that.”

Looking back on his own involvement in yesterday’s game, Paddy recounted a contest that looked very different either side of half-time.

“In the first half I was getting a lot of the ball in high areas and we had some good play down the left-hand side which was positive but then in the second half we had to dig in quite a bit.

“That meant more of a defensive shift but we got the clean sheet we needed and that’s something that we can all be happy about as a team.”

Delving further into the side’s exceptional defensive record, Thistle’s number three suggested that the rear-guard resilience has been built up over a long period of time.

“It’s been a focus for us all season and it shows in the numbers because we’re not conceding many goals. We feel like a solid block regardless of who’s starting or who’s coming off the bench – everyone knows their roles and that’s taken time to develop.”

Having now made three Jags appearances at the ground he used to call home, Reading told us what it’s like to return to a former club as a visitor.

“Obviously it’s nice to see some familiar faces around the place but you also end up on the receiving end of some of the crowd shouts that you maybe didn’t notice when you were a home player.

“You just have to try to put it to the back of your mind during the game and I think I’ve been able to do that. The main thing is getting the win for Thistle and I’m delighted we were able to do that tonight.”

Paddy ended by looking ahead to Tuesday night’s trip to face Dunfermline at KDM Group East End Park and the preparations required ahead of the fixture.

“Recovery is extra-important when it’s a quicker turnaround like this one. You have to keep your body right because we know that it’s going to be another big shift for the team.

“It’s a big pitch, a tough place to go and Dunfermline are a good side so you just have to get home for rest and recovery and come back in on Sunday ready to go again.”

Interview conducted by Craig Vassie