Thomas: Call from Archie sold me on Jags switch

BY GORDON PARKS THOMAS O’WARE insists one call from Partick Thistle boss Alan Archibald was enough to convince the defender to snub a move to the Premiership.

The former Morton centre-back revealed several top-flight clubs were in the running for his services this summer before he opted for a two-year deal at Firhill.

St Mirren and Livingston had O’Ware on their radar but the 25-year-old admits he ran out patience and pledged his future and another season in the Championship to the relegated Jags.

He said: “I said to Thistle I was going to wait and chance my luck for the Premiership but the deal was here.

“I wasn’t in a position for me or my family to sit and wait. It’s not as if I’m 19 and staying at home with no responsibilities.

“The offer came from Thistle and I was delighted with it. I knew it was a massive club and it’s a definite progression for me.

“I spoke to the gaffer maybe two or three weeks before the season ended.

“I took my time over the summer and waited on a few options and when the gaffer here phoned me my mind was made up pretty quickly.

“I don’t look at it and say, ‘I’m not playing in the Premiership’. It’s the next step for me and I’ve made a good step coming here.

“It’s not as if I’ve settled for something either, this was my first choice. It’s a massive club and I know I’m going to get better as a footballer here.

“A couple of promoted teams were in for me but with managers going I didn’t want to wait any longer.”

O’Ware’s stock has risen after displays last season earned him a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Year. And now his ambition is promotion with Thistle at the first time of asking.

He said: “I’m not expecting to just finish mid-table. It’s about promotion but I know at the same time it’s going to be a hard league. Anybody could

THOMAS O’WARE