Can’t prize em apart
McCall bags award but it’s new deals for Jags quartet his sights are set on
IAN McCALL walked off with one prize this week and has given Jags fans hope multiple new deals are set to follow.
The Thistle boss was named Championship manager of the month, with his side’s last defeat now almost two months ago.
The Firhill club then confirmed defender Stephen Hendrie has signed an extension until the end of the season.
McCall is optimistic Tunji Akinola, keeper Jamie Sneddon and Zak Rudden will follow suit.
He said: “I think within the next five days Akinola, Sneddon, Rudden and Stephen will all have extended, I hope.”
As for next month’s window, he added: “We’ve been thinking and talking about that. I can only see maybe one coming in, maybe two.
“I don’t think there will be a lot leaving – one or two possibly.
“I can’t for the life of me think it’s worth letting [down] two or three of the boys who have been doing well but not getting a regular start, considering how well they’re thought of and how well they’re training.
“If the right player becomes available who can help us over a longer period then we might do something there.
“But I’m very, very happy with the togetherness of the squad just now.”
Thistle are in the promotion hunt and the mood around the club is positive as McCall had his tongue firmly in his cheek fresh from his award recognition.
He said: “I heard John McGlynn last month and a few thanking all the coaches and the staff.
“For me it’s not about that. For me, it’s all about me and I’m delighted I got it!”
Thistle have lost just once in 10 games but McCall insists he is not surprised by that form,
He said: “I think our supporters demand it. When I arrived we were at the opposite end of the table and it’s far nicer being at this end. It’s a really bizarre league this season in terms of how close it is.
“The key for us is that the four or five boys who have spent the vast majority of the run on the bench are all training brilliantly and desperate for a chance. It hasn’t surprised me, though.”
Today will see a return to Palmerston to take on a Queen of the South side propping up the pile.
McCall said: “I’ll go and see my mum before the game so I’m looking forward to it. It’s a ground that’s got an awful lot of great memories for me as a young boy.”
Queen of the South boss Allan Johnston has backed his threadbare squad to build on their SPFL Trust trophy victory over Morton in midweek.
Johnston said: “We have four defenders missing which leaves us really short but that is just part and parcel of football.
“We were delighted with the performance on Wednesday and hopefully we can take that on to
Partick Thistle.”