They were two of Scottish football’s best players last season ... now they’ve left for Barnsley and Burton

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ALAN ARCHIBALD believes Liam Lindsay is a Scotland international of the future — provided he continues to progress at Barnsley. The Partick Thistle central defender is poised to complete a move to Oakwell this week after the clubs yesterday agreed a £350,000 fee — a record for the Jags.

The 21-year-old previously held talks with League One club Oxford United but Archibald feels his career prospects have been greatly enhanced by joining the club which finished 14th in the English Championship last season.

A product of the Thistle youth system, Lindsay went on loan at Alloa and Airdrie before becoming a mainstay of the Partick side which cracked the top-six last season.

Archibald believes that progress will continue to the point of full international recognition if the player continues to apply himself in the manner he has done up until now.

Asked if he saw Lindsay (right) as a Scotland player of the future, Archibald replied: ‘If he keeps progressing, yes. I’ve said that before. But he’s got to keep progressing.

‘His career can’t stall. He’s got to get better and better. Hopefully, the Scotland management team take note.

‘I think if it goes through, then it’s a good move for him. I didn’t think League One was right for him and I don’t mean any disrespect to Oxford.

‘In terms of trying to get into the Scotland squad, then you need to be in the Championship to be near that. Unless you are there, I think the international manager might not look at you.’

It is believed Thistle have agreed a 20-per-cent sell-on clause, meaning the sum they could eventually bank could rise considerably.

With the Betfred Cup not under way until July 15, Archibald feels he will be given the funds to adequately replace Lindsay before the big kick-off. ‘I think I’ll see a bit of the fee,’ he said. M PARTICK THISTLE have announced that Just Employment Law will be their main sponsor for season 2017/18.

LIAM BOYCE insists that he’s ready for a step up in his career after quitting Ross County for Burton Albion yesterday. The English Championship outfit shelled out a club record fee to land the Northern Irish striker after securing a £500,000 deal. Top scorer in the Scottish Premership last season — having hit 55 goals in 105 appearances for County overall — the 26-year-old (left) will be reunited with former Dingwall team-mate Jackson Irvine at Pirelli Stadium. ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to finally get it done,’ he said. ‘There’s been a lot of speculation, so now I’m just happy to be here. ‘I kept in touch with Jackson after he came down here. He’s done well and it’s been a good platform for him to come and play his football. ‘He’s been brilliant the past season and I just hope to come in and do the same. ‘I want to go to the next level and, no disrespect to Scotland, but the English Championship is a step up in quality and I wanted to come and test myself.’ County boss Jim McIntyre was reluctant to lose a player worth 23 goals to his side last season, but admitted: ‘It was always going to be difficult to hold on to Liam after the fantastic season he had, finishing top scorer in our league. ‘We thank Liam for his services and wish him the very best on what is a great opportunity for him personally.’ Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough, who has made astute use of a neglected Scottish marketplace, admitted: ‘Liam was the top scorer in Scotland which, when you consider the incredible season that Celtic had in winning the treble, that’s some going in itself. ‘He’s another late developer and Ross County is proving a good breeding ground for players with Liam now and Jackson Irvine before him. ‘He’s the right kind of character and he is desperate to prove himself in England.’