Craig aims tostrikefor Jags just like his dad

It will be family affair at Firhill as legend Joe watches Steven

STEVEN CRAIG hopes he can follow in the footsteps of his father and become a Firhill hero after clinching a loan deal to Partick Thistle.

The striker could make his Jags debut against Hamilton Accies this afternoon after joining from Ross County.

His dad, Joe, netted 67 times for Thistle before being sold to Celtic in 1976 in a £60,000 deal.

Craig Snr was held in high regard by the Firhill crowd and Thistle’s latest star is keen to write his name into the history books in the coming months.

He said: “My mum has always thought that I would play for Partick Thistle at some point of my career.

“It is nice to be able to come here and follow in my dad’s footsteps. He did well here so it is nice for the family that I have been given the chance to play for Thistle. I hope I can be as half as successful as my dad was.

“He will be at the Accies game, but my mum will probably listen to it on the radio. I will have a few family members here.

“It was hard for them to see me play over the last few years because of the journey. It is good to be back down in the Central Belt again.

“My dad never says much about my performances. He is just a staunch football fan, he will watch anything on TV.

“It is good that he will be able to come to most of my games now.

“I am delighted to have signed for Thistle and now I just want to get started and score a few goals.”

Craig’s capture was the sixth and final deal of the transfer window for manager Jackie McNamara as he sets his sights on the Irn-Bru First Division title.

And the Firhill boss has a generous Jag to thank for helping to bolster his squad.

Thistle chairman David Beattie said: “Our general manager Ian Maxwell received, out of the blue, a phone call from a fan who has occasionally enjoyed the corporate hospitality at the club.

“He said he had been greatly impressed by what he had seen from Thistle this season and liked the style of football Jackie is trying to get the team to play and that he was prepared to help out financially.

“Following a conversation with the manager, this fan, and I prefer not to mention his name, ag reed to provide a significant amount of money to the manager’s playing budget.

“This very kind donation does not entirely fund Steven Craig’s wages, but it goes a long way to doing that.

“We can’t thank this individual enough for his support, which we see as a vote of confidence in the club as a whole and, especially, in the manager.”