Alex Burns left us to join Dutch side Heracles six years ago. He has been on his travels since then but has finally lived up to his potential by scoring nearly 20 goals in a season for Partick Thistle in the SPL. This is a big achievement and while there is obviously no guarantee he will repeat the feat, if we get the chance to sign him on a freebie, we must take it. Several of his goals came against us this season, so even if he doesn’t hit the same heights at least he won’t be scoring against us!
Gordon Marshall has been freed by Kilmarnock but Thistle still hope to retain the services of Stephen Craigan. Marshall is now approaching his 40th birthday but has shown in the past he is a good ‘keeper. He is definitely an improvement on both Woods and DuBourdeau although his age does mean we might be looking for a new goalie this time next year.
Stephen Craigan was one of the slowest and most single footed defenders Fir Park has ever seen when he left us. Since then, Thistle seem to have turned him into a solid defender who is more than capable of holding his own in the SPL. He looks a different player to the boy we released years ago and this is reflected by his usual inclusion in the Northern Ireland international squad.
One rumour that won’t be coming true is that Tom Boyd will be back at Fir Park – Terry Butcher expressly ruled out that possibility.