Graham calls on social media companies to do more after Barton barbs

wouldn’t know she’s in the room. But on the pitch, you don’t get many 17- year- old’s barking orders and she’ll do it at her experienced captain in front of her.

“And she’ll develop and get even better the next couple of years. Fingers crossed she can be Scotland’s No. 1 one day.”

Graham continued: “I firmly believe that for all these social media companies, it’s all about making money. People talk about mental health, that’s why so many people are having issues because every time they look at their phone they are doing something bad.

“There are so many people criticising them. It’s over the top at times and I believe these companies could do something about it and they don’t.”

Former Morton, Raith Rovers, Dundee United, Hibernian, St Johnstone, Ross County forward Graham was made manager of the Thistle women’s team back in 2020 and has combined playing and coaching since. He led his girls, who take on title- chasing Celtic at the Excelsior Stadium on Sunday, into the Scottish Women’s Premier League at the end of his first season and has helped them to secure a top- six place this term.

The 36- year- old’s coaching commitments have not dented his ability to find the back of the net for Thistle in the Championship this term, either. Graham has scored 24 goals in all competitions and has revelled in his dual roles after being voted player of the year in the second tier by his peers.

“A lot of people might not have tipped me to do so well at the start of the season,” he said. “But to finish top goalscorer in the division has been a special moment in my career. I was over the moon to win Player of the Year, especially at 36 years of age.

“When I took the womens’ job I had one eye on the boots going onto the peg and taking my first step into management as that’s that s what I want to do. I wanted to have a bit of background behind me so that when I’m applying apply for jobs I have something somet behind me. I have been b through throug all my coa coaching badges and I’m doing doin well with them. them I think it has taken ta pressure off my own game. I don’t re really care now. I wish I had this mentality when w I was 21, 22, because beca at that age I worried worrie about absolutely everything, everythi went over every gam game, every mistake, what wha I could have done be better. Now at my age I just enjoy my football.”