Partick Thistle set to offer striker Mark McGuigan a new contract

May 2 2012 By Fraser Wilson

Mark McGuigan Image 2

JACKIE McNAMARA is set to hand towering striker Mark McGuigan an extended deal at Partick Thistle.

The 23-year-old was plucked from the junior ranks after impressing McNamara playing for the Scottish Universities select side earlier this year.

And after scoring twice in six appearances for the Jags, including in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Falkirk, McGuigan has done enough to be offered a new deal at Firhill.

McNamara said: "Mark is one we will hopefully get tied up for next season.

"He has done very well since coming in and he has a real hunger to be successful.

"We needed something a bit different up front and Mark certainly gives us that. He is obviously strong and helps us break up play if we need to go route one.

"He has good movement, has scored a couple of goals and has generally given defenders a tough time so he's exactly what I was looking for."

McNamara is planning to sit down with a number of Thistle's other out of contract first team players in the coming weeks with Scott Robertson, Conrad Balatoni and Tommy Stewart approaching the end of their current deals.

Meanwhile, a young Thistle side went down 4-0 in a friendly against Motherwell at Fir Park this afternoon.

McNamara said: "The scoreline might have hurt the players but we had a very young side out, especially in defence. In the long run it should be a valuable experience for our youngsters."