Spittal glad to be back at Firhill for season

BLAIR SPITTAL says returning to Partick Thistle on loan was a ‘ no- brainer’ after the Ross County winger sealed a quickfire move to Firhill on Wednesday morning.

That evening the 24- yearold would be named as a substitute as Thistle returned to competitive football with a 4- 1 defeat to St Mirren in Paisley, and Spittal would come off the bench to mark the occasion with his side’s only goal in a match where they impressed for large spells.

It was a whirlwind couple of days for Spittal, who replaced Declan Glass, who saw his loan spell from Dudnee United cut short after picking up an anterior cruciate ligament injury during last week’s 2- 0 friendly defeat at the hands of Hearts.

The Maryhill club had to move quickly to find a replacement and the hierarchy soon landed on Spittal, who spent two seasons at Firhill before joining County last summer, as the man to fill the creative void left by Glass – with Spittal determined to get minutes under his belt after a lengthy spell without kicking a ball.

“I feel that I have a point to prove,” he said. “I’ve obviously not played since March in the last game before lockdown. So the chance to come back here and try to take the club in the right direction was a no- brainer.

“The boys at County had started the season well. I had picked up a wee thigh injury in pre- season and the boys were in good form so I couldn’t get into their plans.

“The best thing was to go out and get games. I’m not someone who’s willing to just sit there and fester away. I want to get as many games under my belt as possible. That’s why I came here.

“There’s a lot to play for. The manager sold it to me. He seems to have changed the whole mentality of the club. Once I spoke to him I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

“We’re frustrated with how it went the other night but we stood toe- to- toe with a Premiership side and you have to take the positives.”