JACK WILLS faced 20 shots from Partick Thistle – and not one went past him on Saturday.
The keeper, like the defenders and Spiders infront of him, put everything on the line to earn a point from The Wright Kerr Stadium at Firhill.
It was the first point of the season for Queen’s Park and a first league shutout for Wills.
After acting as deputy to Calum Ferrie last season and sitting out three months with a double hernia surgery, the 23-year-old has started every game of the campaign so far – and hopes the performance at Firhill is a foundation to build on for the remainder.
He said: “I’ve had a lot of injuries and long spell as number two so, in a Queen’s Park shirt, that’s probably my best individual performance.
“It’s all good confidence for me. I had to get surgery last year and spent a long time injured so to be playing now is all about confidence.
“I’d been playing through a double hernia for two months and was out for three. The club was brilliant with me and helped me the the rehab and a good surgeon.
“I’m really happy with [my performance] and just want to kick on now and keep playing games.”
He added: “Everyone was great, everyone is shattered down there – it was a real shift on a hot day. It wasn’t just me, it was a proper team performance. It is tough coming here.
“We have had a tough start to the season. Last week we were not great and we know that, so the point is definitely a chance to kick on and a confidence builder.
“This is one of the toughest places in the league, with how they play football and their expectations here – it’s a really good point for us to build our season on.”
He had his work cut out to earn it though. Wills denied ex-team-mate Seb Drozd as well as Cale Loughrey and Alex Samuel and also pushed a drive from ex-Spider Ben MacPherson onto the crossbar.
“I got a wee touch on the one just before half-time – and I’m glad Ben mentioned that in his post-match too!
“I just keep doing the best I can, I’m not here telling people I’m number one. I’m just playing day by day and game by game and doing as well as I can to show the gaffer I want to be number one. That’s the way I look at it.”
