Football Season Guide

Partick Thistle

In


Harry Milne (def) Cove Rangers; Anton Dowds (att) Falkirk; Aaron Muirhead (def) Ayr; Jack McMillan (def) Livingston; Steven Lawless (mid) Dunfermline; David Mitchell (gk) Hibs; Tony Weston (att) Rangers – loan; Aidan Fitzpatrick (mid) Queen of the South; Cole McKinnon (mid) Rangers; Danny Mullen (att) Dundee;

Out


Zak Rudden (att) Dundee - loan to permanent; Mouhamed Niang (def) Hartlepool United; Ciaran McKenna (def) Queen of the South; Connor Murray (mid) Queen of the South; Ross MacIver (att) Alloa Athletic; Blair Lyons (mid) Montrose - loan to permanent; Shea Gordon (mid) Larne; Cammy Cooper (att) Rangers; Richard Foster (def); Stephen Hendrie (def); Robbie Crawford (mid); Steven Bell (def); Juan Alegria (att) Rangers – loan ended; Alex Jakubiak (att) Dundee – loan ended; Kyle McAllister (mid) St Mirren – loan ended; Lewis Mayo (def) Rangers – loan ended; Andy Firth (gk) Rangers – loan ended.

Partick enjoyed a good season, never dropped out of the top half of the table and recorded many clean sheets. However, they never mounted a serious title challenge either as they qualified for the play-offs in 4th place but lost out to Inverness. Manager Ian McColl remains in position as they look for a title challenge. Partick have retained most of their key players from last season but experienced defender Ricky Foster has moved on. Lewis Mayo, with 35 appearances last season, has also left after his loan expired. Midfielder Robbie Crawford was a surprise departure too after Partick acquired him last season. The other departures are all fringe players. Partick have acquired the highly experienced talent of Steve Lawless and impressive left-back Harry Milne has signed from Cove. Anton Dowds is a strong attacking prospect who proved himself while on loan at Arbroath. Aaron Muirhead rejoins his former boss and can play in defence or midfield. McMillan and Mitchell provide further depth and competition to Partick’s squad. Teenage striker Tony Weston hopes to make an impact in a loan deal from Rangers. Winger Aidan Fitzpatrick has also rejoined his former boss. Cole McKinnon signs on loan from Rangers. Experienced striker Danny Mullen joins. Partick held promise last season but never quite delivered and were fortunate to reach the play-offs. They have made some good signings and should be looking for a sustained title challenge. However, they rely heavily on veteran striker Brian Graham. Anton Dowds and Tony Weston need to get up to speed quickly and share the burden.

Target


The play-offs is the minimum Partick will be aiming for. There is no clear favourite in the Championship and they have as much chance as anyone else.