Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Brothers on fast-track programme at Partick Thistle
Two Airdrie teens are aiming to be Scottish football’s next brotherly success story after being fast- tracked at pro-youth level with Partick Thistle.
Caldervale High pupils Derek, 15, and Jonny Armstrong, 13, signed for the Glasgow-based club at the end of last season.
Jonny, who turned down Rangers to sign with Thistle, was included in the victorious under-16 squad for the Foyle Cup in Northern Ireland which was secured after a penalty shoot-out win in the final.
Only weeks later he then travelled to Iceland with the under-15 squad to play in Iceland’s famous REY cup which included teams from England, the United States, Australia and Europe.
His older brother Derek was included in Thistle’s under-18 squad for the Northern Ireland supercup which included iconic teams such as Manchester United.
After featuring regularly in the tournament, he has gone on to spend a week with Thistle at Portuguese side Benfica’s training centre.
Proud dad Craig, who is Airdrie side Gartcairn’s commercial manager, said: “The boys are loving it and the club are delighted with how they’re doing.
“Jonny did superbly in his tournaments and scored his team’s first goal in the Foyle Cup as well as starting every game.
“He lost the league with Gartcairn on the final day of last season before signing for Thistle so he’s went from devastation to elation.
“He eats the right food, trains hard and Thistle have high hopes for him.
“The only thing is his paper round customers weren’t too happy with him jetting off to play football two weeks in a row!”
He continued: “Derek was let go by Airdrie after four years so he went back to boys’ club level.
“Thistle scouted him from there and he’s been training with them every day since.
“He’s only 15 but has played in reserve friendlies against really established players.
“He played against Rangers in pre-season against boys like Harry Forrester and Miles Beerman who have played in Old Firm games.”
Central midfielder Jonny, who ironically bases his game on Rangers manager Steven Gerrard, said: “It was a great experience to play in the tournaments.
“I was nervous but I feel I played really well.
”Playing in the same team one day is definitely something Derek and I think about and it would be amazing.”
Derek, also a central midfielder, added: “I’m really looking forward to the challenge at Thistle and hopefully I can break into the first-team in the next few seasons.
“It would be great to eventually play in the same team as my brother.”