Partick Thistle Football Club

A short time ago the paperwork was completed on a deal that sees 22 year old Iain Flannigan, who has been part of the Thistle set up since the start of pre-season training, become a fully fledged Partick Thistle player. Indeed Iain would most likely have signed towards the end of last week had a minor injury not been sufficient to rule him out of the Clyde game.

It is, however, now full steam ahead on Iain’s career as a Partick Thistle player.

Iain, a former Kilmarnock player, made his debut for the Rugby Park club against Hamilton in a League Cup tie in September 2007 and made his SPL debut a few weeks later in a fixture against Inverness Caledonian Thistle and scored his first senior goal against the same opposition towards the end of the same season. Last season Iain, who can play in just about any position across the middle of the park, made 7 first team appearances for Kilmarnock taking his total number of appearances in his time at Rugby Park to 25.

Manager Ian McCall was delighted to have finally brought a player he has been after for some time now to Firhill.

“Iain is a player that I wanted to bring to the Club about six weeks ago but didn’t think that I was going to be able to do so. Fortunately though we've managed to put something in place to allow us to bring him to the Club. In fact Iain would have been signed earlier but he picked up a wee injury which would have prevented him from playing against Clyde on Saturday so we didn’t rush things through. But that’s him signed now and he goes straight into the squad for Saturday’s game at Annan.”

 “Iain can play in the centre of midfield but it is probably best in a wide right position. One thing that he will give us great delivery at set plays and I’m delighted that I have added him to our squad for the season.”

As well as catching up with the Thistle manager www.ptfc.co.uk also took the opportunity to speak to the Firhill new boy who must have been frustrated not to have had the opportunity to make his Thistle debut on Saturday against Clyde.

 “I got a knock the week before and my knee was swollen. Fortunately the swelling went down quite quickly because I was worried that it might be something serious. I just wasn’t quite ready to play against Clyde. It was good to get 90 minutes under my belt against Airdrie United on Tuesday night and I hope to be in contention for a place in the team against Annan on Saturday. ”

Now that Iain has signed up at Firhill his aim for the season is a pretty straightforward one.

“I want to be playing regularly for Partick Thistle. It was frustrating at Kilmarnock because I didn’t feel that I got a long enough run in the team for one reason or another. I’ve got belief in my ability and I feel that I can come here and play regularly and hopefully the team can do well as well.”

Most Thistle fans won’t, as yet, have had the opportunity to have seen Iain in action is a Thistle jersey so what kind of player is he?

“I’m a midfielder that likes to get on the ball and try to make things happen and try and get forward as well. Set pieces are also part of my game and I quite fancy my chances from about 25 yards out.”

 Finally Iain took a little time to look forward to Saturday’s game with Annan Athletic where he will be hoping to make his Thistle debut.

“All cup-ties tend to be tough affairs and Annan will be looking at the game as a massive game for them and a chance to take a big scalp. We will need to be professional and hopefully get the win that will take us into the next round.”