Partick Thistle Football Club

Losing football matches is disappointing but it is nothing compared to losing a member of your family. Events just prior to kick-off yesterday provided a little perspective on football and it's importance compared to the greater things in life. As manager Ian McCall explained to www.ptfc.co.uk.

"Just twenty minutes before the game was due to start yesterday young Kieran Burns, who was listed among the substitutes, was given the horrible news that his father, who had been ill for some time, had passed away. It was a horrible situation and the thoughts of everyone associated with Partick Thistle are with Kieran and his family at this most difficult time."

"Kieran is a player with a great attitude and has a bright future here at Partick Thistle. His fantastic attitude to the game can be summed up by the fact that he was in line to play for the under 19s today against Dumbarton."

The manager continued;

"I was proud of the way the players reacted to that news and the way that they rallied round ‘one of our own' when they heard that news. I was proud too, as proud as I have ever been of a squad of players, of how they played after hearing that news so close to kick-off. I think that showed how much they care and how much they care about Partick Thistle."

Club Chair Allan Cowan had the following comment to make;

"The thoughts of everyone at Partick Thistle are with the Burns family and Kieran at this very sad time for them. Kieran will naturally have the full support of the Club during this difficult time whenever he feels ready to return to Firhill. Kieran is a fine young player and one with a real future at Partick Thistle."