Partick Thistle assistant manager Scott Paterson was left ruing a series of missed opportunities that saw his side leave Celtic Park last night with nothing to show from an impressive display.

Ade Azeez and Ziggy Gordon had gilt-edged chances for the Jags on the night, and they created a host of other presentable openings that could have seen them earn a draw at least.

In the end though, it was Scott Sinclair of the hosts who displayed a cutting edge on a night where Celtic also squandered a host of chances.

For Paterson though, it was the profligate nature of Thistle that left him tearing his hair out, and he admits that it is a failing that has been all too prevalent among his players this season.

“First and foremost I thought the boys were very good,” Paterson said. “They kept their discipline and kept their shape against a very good Celtic team.

“I thought we frustrated them as well, and we created a good few chances too which we never took.

“That was very costly because we could have been walking out of here with a point. We’ve come here and watched numerous teams create chances like we did tonight, so it’s disappointing.

“It’s also disappointing that we lost the game to a set-play, just that wee lapse of concentration, because we had kept them quiet for the first 10-15 minutes which is always important when you come here.

“Then you just switch off for that couple of seconds and the ball is in the back of the net, so that is disappointing.”

The chance which fell to Thistle right-back Gordon in particular was an excellent opportunity, but it almost seemed as if he had too much time to think about his finish on his charge in on goal from his deep position before scuffing the ball wide.

“I think it was exactly that,” Paterson said. “The pitch opened up and we expected the ball to go into the back of the net, but again it never. But we’ll keep going.

“The good thing is that we’re creating a lot of chances, but we’ve got to start taking them because it is costing us.

“When you come here you’ve got to ride your luck as well which we did at times because they are a really good team and they’re movement off the ball is great.

“We’d worked on it to try and keep our shape narrow and force the ball wide, and the boys did that very well, so it’s just frustrating.

“I don’t think many teams will come here and create those types of chances.

“I think we got in good positions in wide areas as well but our final ball just let us down too.”

Despite the nagging feeling that his team should have left Celtic Park with a tangible reward for their efforts, Paterson was further heartened by a creditable showing at one of the league’s toughest venues.

Coming just a few days after the draw at Tynecastle, Paterson hopes they can take the positives from the double-header into a crucial run of fixtures over the festive period, starting at Ross County on Friday night.

“I think the belief is still there from the players,” he said. “I know you can look at the table and we’re still sitting bottom of the league, but we also know that a couple of wins can change things dramatically, and now we’ve got a run of games where we need to start picking up points.

“These are games that we know we can go and get something from and we know we’ve got to, because it’s the teams all round about us as well.

“So we’ll dust ourselves down and we’ll get ready for Friday night’s game against Ross County.”