Hopkin to sortfuture
From Back Page flight for the first time since 2006 after a goal from Keaghan Jacobs gave them a 1-0 win at Partick Thistle and 3-1 aggregate victory in the play-off final.
It’s a remarkable turnaround for the West Lothian club, relegated to League One two years ago. Now they’re in line to face Celtic and Rangers next season and Hopkin gave every hint he’ll be there to guide them to new glories.
He said: “My future always gets tied up in the summer. There might be speculation but I’ve spoken to the board and we’ll chat again, probably on Tuesday now.
“I’ve always been open with the board. They’ve always been good with me and both parties are honest enough so we’ll see where talks take us.
“Interest will come when you get promoted but at least you’re doing your job right and I’m not being pushed out the door.
“You’re seeing Scottish football become a haven for top managers such as Steve Clarke, Brendan Rodgers, Neil Lennon and now Steven Gerrard.
“We knew it was going to be a tough ask to come here but I’ve got to give great credit to my players for the whole season.
“I’d never have thought we’d be here when we were relegated two years ago but the players and staff have worked extremely hard.
“We need to get bodies in but I won’t get players who will cost the club money because we’ll be favourites for relegation. We need to make sure we build for the Championship again, probably, and won’t be breaking the bank.”
Thistle have been dumped in the second tier for the first time in five years. Firhill managing director Ian Maxwell is set to be paraded as SFA chief executive tomorrow and his departure is the first of many this summer.
Boss Alan Archibald said: “It is very raw and I haven’t thought about my future. There will be cuts all over, a massive turnover of players, so it’s vital we’re in a good place to come back up.
“I’m gutted for everyone involved with such a good club. It’s hard to take. The play-offs gave us a second chance but if you can’t score at home you don’t deserve to be in the Premiership.”