Football Season Guide

Still harbouring a sense of injustice at their imposed relegation in 2020, Partick Thistle return to the Championship after winning League One. Their progression went to script: a shaky start – in strong contention – then eventual champions. Overall, mission accomplished for manager Ian McCall despite the flak he endured. Unusually for McCall, Partick have been quiet in the transfer market. Heading out are defenders James Penrice and Ryan Williamson with 32 appearances between them last season. Veteran winger Joe Cardle has dropped down to Division Two with Kelty Hearts. Defender Kevin Holt returns to Scottish football after a spell in Cyprus. Veteran defender Stephen Bell (36) links up with McCall again after a loan spell from East Kilbride. Forwards Scott Tiffoney and Ross McIver have also made their loans permanent. Promising midfielder Kyle Turner also joins after falling out of favour at Dunfermline. Highly rated Hearts’ goalkeeper Harry Stone has significantly joined on loan for the season. Partick are back where they feel they should always have been. While they were strong enough to win the mainly part-time League One, they seem unlikely to take the Championship by storm. A lot rests on the shoulders of 33 year-old Brian Graham to lead their attack with injury-prone Zac Rudden still to prove himself.