Jackie McNamara 'delighted' with additions to Partick Thistle squad

Jun 8 2012 By Fraser Wilson

PARTICK THISTLE boss Jackie McNamara last night declared himself happy with his summer transfer activity as Caolan McAleer became the latest player to agree a new deal at Firhill.

The teenage Irish winger is set to pen a two-year contract after arriving on a short term deal from Linfield at the end of the last campaign.

His signing will bring to an end a flurry of activity in the past month in which McNamara has made four new signings aswell as convincing a host of first team stars to commit their futures to the club.

In have come experienced St Mirren midfielder Hugh Murray, Hibs playmaker Sean Welsh, striker Steven Lawless from Motherwell and promising Annan Athletic defender Aaron Muirhead.

In addition first team stars including Aaron Sinclair, Paul Paton, Conrad Balatoni and Mark McGuigan agreed new deals and only Paul Cairney, who is close to finalising a move to Hibs, has turned down new terms.

McNamara is confident he's got just the right blend of youth and experience to make a serious bid for next season's first division title in his second year at the helm.

He said: "We have added some good players to the squad in the past few weeks and it was pleasing that we did most of our business early.

"It was important to get the right players in, players I had identified, and not hang about waiting to see what was left at the end of the window.

"I'm delighted with the way we have done our business and the squad is looking pretty good at the moment with players pushing each other in every position.

"Hugh Murray is an excellent addition and has bags of experience. Steven Lawless and Aaron Muirhead are two promising young players with lots of potential and we know what we are getting with Sean Welsh after his spell on loan here in which he was excellent."

On McAleer, McNamara said: "Caolan will be coming back on board. He did well when he arrived in the latter part of the season and is definitely one for the future.

"Getting him in on a two-year deal will allow us to work with him and improve him from an early age.

"We will look to farm him out for the first season so that he's getting regular action and used to playing at a higher level."

McNamara further boosted his numbers this week when he handed striker Jordan Leyden, midfielder Lee Gallagher and central defender Liam Lindsay professional contracts after they impressed in the Jags youth set-up last season.

One player who probably won't be around next season though is defender Scott Robertson who is likely to follow Tommy Stewart and Willie Kinniburgh out of Firhill.

The former Queen of the South player hasn't been offered new terms and with McNamara content with his defensive options the 23-year-old is on the lookout for a new club.