This article was featured in our Partick Thistle newsletter last week. Our bespoke offering is released every Wednesday at 6 p.m. and you can sign up for exclusive access for free - click to sign up. This week's edition is an interview with Thistle's number 9...

294 fans braved the horrendous weather conditions recently to back Kris Doolan and his team against Inverness.

It was yet another example of the fantastic following Thistle take on the road and trips to Inverness invoke strong memories. Under John Lambie, Thistle enjoyed some famous nights on the banks of the Moray Firth and few played a more pivotal role than Martin Hardie. 

The 2001-02 campaign was one of the most special in the club’s recent history as it culminated in Thistle securing consecutive league titles to return to the top-flight of Scottish football and it featured two joyous visits to the Caledonian Stadium. 

December was a pivotal month in the title success and Thistle trailed Inverness by a goal on a cold winter’s night as Lambie turned to his bench and Hardie.

“I can’t remember if I’d been playing well but I was a sub and I was disappointed,” Hardie reflected. I obviously didn’t tell that to John Lambie as I’d have been told to sit down and be quiet.

“I came on with half an hour to go and we were one-nil down. The ball was played up the line to Scott McLean and I made that run into the box to score with a header. Arriving late in the box was a big part of my game when I was at Partick Thistle. 

“In the closing stages, Stephen Craigan hurled in a long throw-in from the same corner and I’ve moved to the front post to get a flick-on. The ball was cleared out to my good mate Alan Archibald for his left foot thunderstrike and it fell to me at the back post, after a few ricochets, for a simple tap-in.

“It was a special moment right in front of the away fans and I ran right behind the goals to celebrate. It wasn’t like today’s celebrations but more like ‘Yes, here we go’.

“Loads of fans had made their way up north in December when people are trying to save money for Christmas so it was great to reward them.”

Lambie brought Hardie to Firhill from East Stirlingshire and the pair enjoyed a positive relationship, despite not always seeing eye-to-eye. 

Hardie jokes that he made cheeky comments after his heroics in the Highlands but his goalscoring form still wasn’t enough for Lambie. 

He added: “You just went with what the manager said but I probably said something sarcastic after the game like ‘there’s your dinner’. I wouldn’t have chapped his door on Monday to say that I should’ve been playing. 

“The weekend after the Inverness game, we played St Mirren and I was still a sub. He kept me on the bench for a three-game run. I scored twice against Inverness, then scored the winner against St Mirren in the Boxing Day and I thought I must be starting next week. 

“But he kept me on the bench against Ayr United and I came on to score the winner again. I scored four goals in three games off the bench so I don’t think he had any choice but to start me after that.

“Looking back, the gaffer knew exactly what he was doing. Players just want to play every week and he knew that he’d get a reaction from me because that’s the type of player I was. When Thistle sites post the goals on social media, I think back and realise they were not too bad!”

Later that season, Thistle made the long trip north again for the most iconic away day in Inverness. After a 2-2 draw at Firhill, the Jags needed a replay to secure their place in the Scottish Cup semi-final. 

The weather was biblical again that night and the game was in jeopardy with Gerry Collins remonstrating with referee John Rowbotham to avoid that outcome, emphasising the massive away contingent that had travelled up from Glasgow. 

The game went ahead and Scott Patterson stepped up with a majestic free-kick to send Thistle to Hampden but it was an evening of mixed emotions for Hardie. 

“The weather was horrific that night,” Hardie added. “I remember I was fuming up the back of the bus on the way home because John Rowbotham booked me in the 92nd, which ruled me out of the semi-final. 

“It was allegedly for timewasting and it was because Lambie wanted me to go up up the line when I wanted to take the throw-in so Derek Fleming could stay back. I was probably sulking up the back of the bus while the boys got tucked into a crate of Tennents. 

“We actually went up the day before and stayed near Elgin. We did a light training session during the day and Lambie let us go for a walk after dinner. I remember it was pitch black and Trigger [Scott McLean] bet the boys £5 a head that he’d be able to go in the sea completely naked for ten minutes. 

“Needless to say all 20 boys got their fivers out and the bold yin jumped in naked. We could barely see him at one point because of the darkness but I swear he had hyperthermia when he reappeared out of the water.

“We had a great record that season against Inverness. They only drew with us once at Firhill in the first leg in the 2-2 game. I think I scored five against Inverness that season and Nicky Walker, obviously a Thistle legend, came up to me and said ‘You’ve got me on your mantlepiece big man’.”

Hardie has fond memories of his time at Thistle and he always enjoys returning to Firhill, where his unique chant has now been transferred to Aaron Muirhead. 

“There’s been far better players than me to have played for Thistle and done extremely well,” Hardie adds.

“Thistle fans have always appreciated players who give maximum effort and do their best for the club. 

“I always had a good rapport with the fans because I always scored vital goals. I never seemed to score if we won four or five nil but I’d always pop up with decisive goals in close games. 

“It was obviously great to hear my song. There’s been players than me who’ve played for the club but not had that bond with the fans. Whenever I go back to Firhill, the fans are really gracious.