Summer clear-out begins at Partick Thistle as Ian McCall plans change

May 4 2010 By Fraser Wilson

Simon Donnelly

PARTICK THISTLE boss Ian McCall has axed the old guard at Firhill with six players told their contracts won't be getting renewed.

Veteran defenders Ian Maxwell and Martyn Corrigan, experienced keepers Bryn Halliwell and Craig Hinchcliffe and seasoned striker Simon Donnelly, pictured, are all set to depart the Jags along with young striker Scott Tully.

However, there could be hope for some of the players yet as McCall hinted a few could return "in a playing and non-playing capacity".

In addition to the departures left-sided duo Paddy Boyle and Mark Corcoran, both of whom have a year of their contracts to run, have been told by McCall that they are free to find new clubs.

Ryan Conroy's loan spell has expired and he heads back to Celtic while Jonny Tuffey is widely expected to sign elsewhere under freedom of contract.

Big things were expected of former Everton kid Boyle when he arrived last summer but he has struggled to establish himself at Firhill and was loaned out to Clyde at the end of the season.

Winger Corcoran arrived with bags of SPL experience after spells at both St Mirren and Hamilton but, although showing flashes of brilliance, has struggled to find consistency.

Donnelly is facing the Jags axe for the second time in 12 months. The ex-Celtic frontman looked to be on the way out a year ago when his contract wasn't immediately renewed. But that changed at the start of the season when McCall re-signed the striker in a player-coach capacity.

McCall said: "It's never a pleasant task having to release players but the door isn't shut entirely on a number of those players.

"There are some that I would still like to see at the club next season both in a playing and non playing capacity. We will need to see how things will work out during the summer."

The Firhill boss will once again have to work some magic trying to produce a successful team on a shoestring budget. Thistle chairman Allan Cowan confirmed last week the money available for the playing squad would be reduced next term.