Partick Thistle boss orders stars back to boot camp to prepare for assault on first division title

Jun 13 2012 By Gordon Parks

Partick Thistle boot camp at Catterick Barracks Image 4

JACKIE McNAMARA believes a pre-season stint at the barracks can help Partick Thistle march towards success.

The Jags boss will make a repeat trip to the Army base at Catterick Garrison where they trained last summer and he insists it should ensure his squad are fighting fit for the upcoming campaign.

He said: “Going to Catterick was good for us last year. We are doing it slightly differently this season. We are going down in the second week of pre-season rather than the first week.

“We had a week there last year and played a game at the end of it but I think that was too early.

“This year we will change it and give ourselves more time to get up to speed.

“We are still trying to organise more games and hopefully these are fixtures that the fans will get excited about.”

Thistle’s league games are due to start on August 11 but first up for McNamara will be a Ramsdens Cup clash with fierce rivals Clyde.

The tie is scheduled for Saturday, July 28, and will be played at Alloa – where the Bully Wee will kick-off the start of their season.

Meanwhile, the Firhill club have recruited three young full-time professionals from their successful academy.

Lee Gallagher, Jordan Leyden and Liam Lindsay have signed two-year contracts and youth boss Gerry Britton believes the kids now have a platform to showcase their talents.

He said: "I’m delighted the lads have signed. This is an exciting opportunity for both the boys and the club."