Injury blow for Partick Thistle as Neil McCann's comeback meets premature end

Sep 21 2011 By Gordon Parks

PARTICK THISTLE have been rocked by the news that Neil McCann has been ruled out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury.

The Jags had convinced the former Scotland winger to come out of retirement but those plans are in tatters after a training-ground accident.

After being assessed by medics, McCann's career appears to be over and he will now focus on his role as a pundit for Sky Sports.

The 36-year-old was aiming to build up his fitness in a bid to secure a first-team place but the ruptured cruciate has ended that ambition.

Meanwhile, the Jags could be set to lose Glasgow Warriors as tenants after the Scottish Rugby Union had proposals backed by City Council chiefs to allow the oval ball side to play at Scotstoun.

The club has used the West End facility as its training base for the past year and officials are keen to use it for home games.

Scottish rugby's governing body has put forward a proposal which will be considered by the City Council’s executive committee this week.

If the move is given the green light, Thistle will lose a six-figure rent revenue which would have severe consequences on an already tight budget.

But Jags general manager Ian Maxwell insists there's no panic at the club over the proposals.

He said: "There are logistical reasons why the Warriors wouldn't be able to move in the short-term as an upgrade would be required before they could move to Scotstoun.

"Obviously the financial ramifications are all hypothetical as we don't know what decisions will be taken in the future."

● Partick Thistle have issued a "Meet the Board" invitation to fans . It will take place on Thursday night in the Aitken Suite, starting at 7.30pm.