Jags trio’s departure delay halts Archie recruitment drive
PARTICK THISTLE manager Alan Archibald admits the uncertainty over transfer-listed trio Adam Barton, Niall Keown and Miles Storey is hindering his rebuilding efforts.
All three were told they could leave after the Jags’ relegation to the Championship amid costcutting efforts at Firhill.
But all are contracted until next summer and Archibald said: “Through no fault of their own those were three players we had to make available for transfer because they were on Premier League wages.
“It does make things a little frustrating. I need to get another centre-half in if Adam and Niall do go. I can’t do that until I know for sure whether they are going to leave the building. It would free up money elsewhere. That’s tough but it’s where we are. We all knew that. We’re filling in the blanks and there is still a lot of recruitment to go.”
Archibald admits financial constraints have made his search for new players even more challenging.
But he has assured supporters there is more business on the horizon. He said: “We’re a bit behind others in terms of our recruitment. We have our targets, we got a couple of them in early and have started from the back with a couple of goalies and centre-backs.
“We have a couple of irons in the fire in terms of loans we’re waiting on. They are always a little difficult with Premier League clubs because managers want to keep them for preseason then send them out.
“There are a couple of ones who will add quality and we want to keep the loans for that. It’s slow and difficult, especially with the financial situation meaning we are shopping in more of a Scottish market.”