ALAN ARCHIBALD put Partick Thistle’s five latest signings through their paces at Firhill yesterday as the Jags’ ‘Be a Pro’ competition winners joined the first team squad.

Fans Chester Studzinski, David Kelly, Roddy MacLeod, Craig Liddell and David Mains were successful in a silent auction and have been officially registered as Thistle players with the SPFL for the new season.

After being presented with their kit and unveiled as Jags stars, the new Firhill recruits trained with Archibald’s side as they gear up for the upcoming Premiership campaign.

And Thistle managing director Ian Maxwell is pleased to have the latest recruits on board ahead of the big kick-off.

He said: “Obviously all clubs have to work to a budget so we look at all avenues for potential player recruitment.

“A lot of people thought this would be a dead end for us but I think it’s clear from Sunday’s training session that we have unearthed some real gems – the lad Mains had a great touch for a 45-year-old and MacLeod showed a real turn of pace for someone who has never been a professional athlete!

“In all seriousness though it was really good to get the guys in and I think they were all delighted with the way the day went.

“As a club we spoke a lot over the summer about alternative sources of funding beyond the usual player sponsorship and trackside boards.

“Scottish football clubs have to be doing more to attract new income in order to ensure their ongoing financial stability, I think the Be a Jag scheme is an innovative way of doing exactly that.”