PARTICK THISTLE manager Jackie McNamara hopes ace striker James Craigan will be the final piece of his Firhill jigsaw this season.
The former Preston North End youngster joined Jags on trial at the start of their pre-season preparations and impressed McNamara as he looks to add the finishing touches to his squad.
The Thistle gaffer has already added four new faces – Aaron Muirhead, Steven Lawless, Sean Welsh and Hugh Murray – during the close season, with all of the quartet impressing during their latest pre-season outing, a 4-1 win over Ayr United on Monday night.
Now he has set his sights on Craigan, who was spotted during their friendly match with the Scottish Universities XI last season, a game that saw Mark McGuigan clinch his move to Firhill.
The striker is currently on trial with Tamworth, and Mac, who ran the rule over three Italians during a bounce game with St Johnstone last Saturday, is keen to add one more option to his attack.
He said: "There was one (of the trialists) we were trying to get. If we can get him, great. If not, we will move on. We are trying to get James Craigan back. Hopefully we can get him. We really liked him when he was here. He is a very talented player who would be a good option for us.
"If we could get him in then that would be us. We have got a good-sized squad here at the moment."
The Firhill boss added: "It is a strong squad and a strong bench we have. We have got plenty of options.
"I think Christie Elliot is beginning to look like the player we signed, too. He looks sharp and hungry and really hard to play against. I am happy with how we are shaping up."
It is not just at Firhill where McNamara has been focusing his attentions in recent weeks, with the Jags gaffer heading to Belfast this summer to continue his Uefa coaching licences.
Thistle will kick-off the new campaign on Saturday week when they face Third Division Clyde in the first round of the Ramsdens Cup.
And McNamara cannot wait to return to action as he prepares for his second season in the dugout. He said: I really enjoyed my first season in the job and I think I learned a lot during the year.
"There were mistakes made but that is life, you have to learn from your mistakes. You look at things differently and what you would change. I am starting that from pre-season and I will make sure they are all ready to go."
Meanwhile, Tickets for this weekend's ARR Craib Cup tournament with Airdrie United, Celtic and Everton are now on sale at Firhi ll.
Sunday's action is FREE to all Jags season ticket holders, but fans will need a ticket to see Saturday's games – Thistle v Celtic at 12 noon and Everton v Airdrie United at 2.45pm.