My Jags will help Lenny Jnr make his own name
Ian McCall insists Partick Th i s t l e w i l l pr ot e c t Gallagher Lennon, son of Celtic legend Neil, from the additional scrutiny that his name will invite.
The 16-year- old was an unsued sub in Falkirk on Friday night as Thistle exited the SPFL Trust Trophy with a 2- 0 defeat.
And as the teenager looks to make a career in the professional game, McCall appreciates he might have more to deal with that any other kid.
“All I will say is that he is an absolute credit to his mum and dad,” said the Thistle boss. “He is a great kid. Whether he will make it in football, who knows?
“But as a boy he is terrific. We will deal with any of that [scrutiny] when it comes.
“I wouldn’t have been scared to put him on during Friday’s game but we had already used our subs.”
Thistle midfielder Stuart Bannigan also insists Lennon will have a dressing room of experienced players to protect him.
He said: “I think it will be harder for him. But he has been in a few times and played a few pre-season games. He’s done really well.
“It is all about him. He will make his own name.
“He is just a young boy and is still learning but the players around him will certainly help him.
“He is a good lad and very respectful. If and when the time comes to step up I would be sure that he will make his own name.”
Bannigan is adamant Friday ’s defeat to John McGlynn’s side will not affect Thistle as they look to continue their strong start to the Championship.
Top of the table on goal difference, the Jags look capable of going all the way.
There were 11 changes made to the starting line-up for the defeat to Falkirk with Bannigan confident that it will not interfere with the promotion push.
They host Morton next we e k end w i t h the midf ielder optimist ic McCall’s side will get back into their groove.
“We were disappointed with the performance on Friday but we just look forward now to the league,” he said. “I don’t think it will affect us at all.
“We were a bit disjointed but that is because a lot of the players hadn’t played with one another.
“The league is the most important thing.
“That is not to say that we didn’t want to win Friday’s game. You want to progress and the defeat was not through a lack of
trying.”