It’s been a successful season for Partick Thistle as they followed up survival in their first season back in the top flight of Scottish football with a solid second campaign. A sticky spell in early 2015 ruined any hopes of trying to challenge for a top six slot, but they were never really threatened by relegation troubles throughout.
GOALKEEPERS
Scott Fox – 7
Scott started the season as Thistle’s number one but soon lost the jersey following a red card in only the second game of the season against Dundee. An injury in November presented Paul Gallacher with the gloves before Scott got back into the side. The statistics are impressive for Scott with 10 clean sheets recorded, but a strong defensive unit in front of him helped contribute to that.
Paul Gallacher – 6
Paul has found opportunities limited this season and his decline has been noticeable. He’s not as quick with reactions and there are question marks over whether he would be able to spend another season playing in the top flight. He has done well in his role as a goalkeeping coach and it would be no real surprise to see him sitting on the bench again in the 2015/16 campaign.
DEFENDERS
Conrad Balatoni – 7
Conrad has taken the best part of 18 months to adapt fully to the Premiership standard of play with one bombscare moment seemingly guaranteed in every game. Since the start of the year he has been a revelation, perhaps as a consequence of having a consistent left back playing alongside him, and he came into a game adding a threat in set piece scenarios. Will be missed next season as he seeks a new challenge.
Frederic Frans – 8
Frederic was a late addition to the Thistle squad, signing during October’s international break. He kept a couple of clean sheets in his first few appearances but didn’t fully come into his element until 2015 when he struck an impressive partnership with Conrad Balatoni. The popular Belgian hit a phenomenal equaliser in Thistle’s first post split game.
Callum Booth – 7
Callum was a late signing in January as Alan Archibald scrambled around for a left back. After a slow start, not helped by a couple of injuries, Callum has adapted well and appears to suit Thistle’s style of play. He signed a one year deal so will be looking to continue to improve in 2015/16.
Jack Hendry – 5
A development league player who was given 90 minutes against Motherwell on the last day of the season. He had a decent enough game but with him being an “overage” development league player it remains to be seen if a new contract will be offered.
Dale Keenan – 4
A left back who made six appearances throughout the season, but clearly isn’t good enough for the Premiership yet. Will be released in the summer.
Liam Lindsay – 5
Liam made one appearance against Dundee United just after New Year. Spent the second half of the season on loan to Airdrieonians performing quite well according to their fans. Hopes are high for Liam and he should be looking to break into the first team squad next season.
Ben Richards-Everton – 3
A low risk signing from Tamworth who made only two appearances all season. The former England “C” cap was unable to break into the first team and will be leaving Firhill this summer.
Dan Seaborne – 7
Dan added a steeliness to Thistle’s defence which was particularly leaky in 2013/14. His partnership with Conrad Balatoni was crucial to Thistle in the early part of the season as they built a platform of stability. His season ended in February when he required an operation having performed admirably in his 22 appearances, but with a year to go in his contract he’ll be back for 2014/15.
Stephen O’Donnell – 8
Stephen has had a tremendous campaign and will be sorely missed when he leaves during the summer. Scored the fans Goal of the Season with an excellent strike against Dundee United. His lung bursting runs down the right have caused many a left back to have nightmares and he will be incredibly difficult for Alan Archibald to replace.
MIDFIELDERS
Stuart Bannigan – 7
Stuart would be rated higher if it wasn’t for a poor run of form between November and February. It was perhaps brought on by his red card against Celtic in the League Cup but he put it behind him to come onto a game driving Thistle’s midfield alongside Abdul Osman. With only one year left in his deal it’d be good to see him extend his Firhill stay longer so we don’t lose him on a free transfer next season.
James Craigen – 7
James has had a stop start season, struggling to nail down a starting slot in a certain position. He operates best as one of the attacking midfielders but his tremendous workrate usually sees him play deeper in Thistles midfield. Disappointingly, he won’t be at Firhill next season as he would have been a versatile player to have in the squad.
Christie Elliott – 7
Christie can play anywhere in the Thistle team and did so continuously during the season. Not blessed with the greatest footballing ability but his excellent work rate means he is a useful player to have around the squad. Recently penned a two year extension so will be filling in throughout the team against next season.
Gary Fraser – 7
Gary had a great start to the season before suffering a fractured knee towards the end of August. He got himself back into the team with some impressive displays before being the casualty of Alan Archibald adjusting his team in February as he looked to end a poor run of form. Will be looking to progress more next season.
Kallum Higginbotham – 7
It’s been a disappointing season for Kallum as he struggled to hit the heights of 2013/14. He recorded only one assist between August and February with four of his seven coming from corner kicks. It would appear unlikely that he’ll be playing for Thistle again with his contract expiring in the summer.
Steven Lawless – 8
The outstanding creative midfielder in the Thistle side. While he may be disappointed with his goal tally, only three, he has continually provided chances for others in the side with clever play and excellent passing ability. Is another player who is out of contract this summer.
Declan McDaid – 6
Declan has broken into the first team picture this season after strong performances in the development league. A tricky winger, he obviously has a lot to learn but has posed a threat in his 16 appearances. He is highly rated and signed a long term contract in February so will be continuing his development at Firhill.
Abdul Osman – 9
Player of the Season. Abdul was signed after an impressive trial spell in pre-season and has been the outstanding player in the Thistle side. He protects the back four admirably and has consigned the memory of Isaac Osbourne to a distant one. Didn’t miss a competitive minute until January and got the captains armband in February, which seemed to push his performances onto a new level. Signed a new one year deal so will be back working hard for Thistle next season.
Ryan Stevenson – 7
Ryan had a solid first year with Thistle having been asked to fill a variety of positions in the team. He had a slow start taking until November to score his first goal but proved a key attacker in the side. He’ll be looking to continue his 2015 form next season with his recent surgery hopefully healing in time.
Sean Welsh – 3
Sean has missed all of the season with a series of injuries. It was shown in the early part of 2013/14 that he can be a quality midfielder but with only three appearances since November 2013 it has proved to be a frustrating time for the midfielder who is out of contract this summer.
David Wilson – 6
David made his first start for Thistle on the last day having made a string of substitute appearances throughout. Initial glimpses of him in the first team have been encouraging and he could be a useful squad player in 2015/16.
STRIKERS
Kris Doolan – 8
Kris netted 10 competitive goals, the first player to achieve this feat for five successive seasons since the 1950s. It’s even more impressive when you consider he only started half of his appearances and completed 90 minutes in the Premiership on only six occasions. His highlight was undeniably the four goal haul against Hamilton Accies in January.
Neil McLaughlin – 5
A Thistle youth player who was given a run out at the end of the season as a reward for strong performances in the development league side. He became one of Thistle’s youngest ever players and is the first SPFL Premiership player who was born after Scotland last qualified for an international tournament.
Lyle Taylor – 7
Lyle returned to Thistle for his second loan spell at the end of the January transfer window and took around 20 minutes to hit the back of the net in Thistle colours, scoring in a Scottish Cup defeat to Inverness CT. He’s netted four goals for Thistle but could have had more had he a little more composure in front of goal. Thistle fans will be hoping to see him line up in a red and yellow strip from the start of a campaign for a change
DEPARTED
Jake Carroll – 3
A late loanee from Huddersfield Town, Jake struggled at left back in the Thistle side. He was versatile enough but never really made a lasting impact before returning south in January.
Nathan Eccleston – 3
Nathan joined as a late transfer deadline day signing. He scored more SPFL Premiership goals (1) than he had SPFL Premiership starts (0) for Thistle. He left in January for Kilmarnock looking for “superior training” but was released by the Ayrshire club last week.
Jordan McMillan – 5
Jordan was a competent left back and had been a steadying influence for the side in the early part of the season, being some fans choice for Player of the Year. Off field issues caused him to drop out the side and eventually depart, something which left the club in the lurch with no reliable left back at the time.
Aaron Muirhead – 2
Thistle never picked up a league point when Aaron played. The arrival of Frederic Frans meant his days were numbered and he joined Falkirk at the start of January.
MANAGER
Alan Archibald – 9
The very fact that Thistle will be playing top flight football for a third consecutive season for the first time since the 1990s is down to the excellence of the manager. He has worked hard to address the issues that plagued his team from 2013/14 and the additions of Dan Seaborne and Abdul Osman filled the defensive deficiency. Thistle kept a clean sheet in almost 35% of their games played, last bettered at top flight level almost 100 years ago. He has a big summer ahead of him to replace the exodus of players who are off to pastures new but he has a proven track record at doing that.
WRITTEN BY BARRY WALLACE
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