Mccall tipped for Partick return as Archibald sacked
● Boss pays the price for sluggish start to campaign
Ayr United’s rise from the foot of League 1 to the top of the Championship could come at a price as their manager, Ian Mccall, has emerged as one of the candidates to take over at Partick Thistle.
Thistle ended the near sixyear reign of Alan Archibald and his assistant, Scott Paterson, after Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat by Ross County and speculation is rife Mccall could get a second stint in the Firhill hot seat. Archibald guided Thistle to promotion in 2013 and secured a top-six spot in the Premiership less than 18 months ago, but relegation last season and a sluggish start to this campaign have led to his dismissal.
Josh Mullin’s drive after 15 minutes and Billy Mckay’s penalty early in the second half meant the Dingwall club were the final opponents for a manager for a second week running, following Csaba Laszlo’s exit at Dundee United.
Thistle issued a statement on Saturday night, praising Archibald for his service, but added: “Following relegation our sole objective was to secure promotion back to the Premiership. However, results have not met our expectations, so, if we are to still achieve our aim, a change had to happen now”.
Chiefexecutivegerrybritton and Scott Allison, in charge of the youth team, will take temporary charge ahead of their game against Dundee United this coming weekend.
Mccall managed Partick for nearly four years from May 2007 before taking a threeyear break from the game. He ended that break in January 2015 when he took over at Ayr.
Another of Mccall’s former clubs, Falkirk, made the 54-year-old two offers to take over from Paul Hartley. He turned them down out of a sense of loyalty to Ayr chairman Lachlan Cameron. With Mccall still living in Glasgow, that loyalty could be tested again, although there will be no shortage of other interested parties in the job.
Jim Duffy, who turned down Queen’s Park last week, has a playing history with Thistle, while out-of-work pair Jim Mcintyre and Robbie Neilson will also be in the running. Former Falkirk manager Steven Pressley could also emerge as a candidate after being sacked by Cypriot side Pafos yesterday.