Partick Thistle pre-season preparations step up a gear with Alloa test

Jul 10 2012

PARTICK THISTLE boss Jackie McNamara insists the Jags' pre-season preparations have not been washed-out by the incessant July rain.

Thistle headed south to Catterick Barracks for a pre-season boot camp with the aim of getting into shape for the new season which is now just over a fortnight away.

And, despite daily downpours in North Yorkshire, McNamara is satisfied his new-look squad's core fitness is now in place.

Meaning the real stuff can begin tonight when Thistle take on Alloa in their first pre-season friendly at Recreation Park.

Newboys Hugh Murray, Aaron Muirhead, Steven Lawless and Sean Welsh are all expected to get a run out and McNamara told his club's website: "I expect that Alloa will give us tough test and it will be good to get back playing again.

"The last couple of weeks we have concentrated on the core fitness of the players but now the focus shifts to working on various different systems and trying out a few different things as we gear up for the start of the season."

Thistle's next pre-season match is next Monday when they travel to face Ayr United before they host Celtic, Everton and Airdrie United in the eagerly anticipated ARR Craib Cup over the weekend of July 21 and 22.

• Meanwhile, Thistle received a boost this week after agreeing to host Celtic's under 20 youth fixtures at Firhill next season. It comes after Glasgow Warriors ended their six-year stay at Firhill.