High hopes for new Firhill man Hodge

Partick Thistle may have sold their former star player to SFL first division rivals Dundee, but club Chairman Allan Cowan is confident that new signing Bryan Hodge can shine at Firhill.

It has been a busy summer behind the scenes as Ian McCall re-signed his contract as manager followed by the departure of players Gary Harkins (Dundee £150,000) and Marc Twaddle (£60,000, Falkirk).

However, a number of new faces have been brought in to freshen-up the Thistle squad including former Blackburn Rovers midfielder Hodge.

Speaking to LOCAL NEWS on the eve of the season Allan Cowan explained how he rates his club’s chances.

He said: ‘I’m delighted Ian McCall decided to stay on as manager at Partick Thistle, I think it was universally welcomed by everyone associated with the club.’

‘We did try to keep Gary Harkins by offering him an extension to his contract with improved terms but it didn’t work out that way.

‘As he only had one season left on his deal we then faced the scenario of losing him for nothing next summer, and we weren’t willing to do that.

‘Selling players is never something you never want to do, but Dundee kept coming back to us and the price in the end was the highest transfer fee between any two Scottish clubs this summer, it was an offer we couldn’t refuse.’

Cowan believes the playing squad is now stronger than it was last season and singled out one player in particular as the key to the Jags aspirations. He said: ‘We decided to take the fee as Ian believed he had a replacement lined up in Bryan Hodge, so it wasn’t just that we sold Gary, we made sure we could get someone else in.’

‘Dundee are hot favourites with the money they’ve spent but I believe that under Ian McCall we can maintain our challenge. We will be in at the death, fighting to decide where the first division title will end up.’

Thistle’s first home league game is on Saturday 15 August when they entertain Ross County.

Remember entry into Firhill is FREE to all under 16s. Adult season tickets still available on 0141 579 1971.