PARTICK THISTLE today defended their handling of drug ban defender Jordan McMillan after the player hit out at the club and claimed he was stabbed in the back.

McMillan was yesterday hit with a two year ban from all sport after being found to have cocaine in his system following the Jags’ Premiership clash with Celtic last December.

The right-back has claimed his drink was spiked by Sean Malloy, a friend of his cousin Edward Maher, but a UK Anti-Doping Tribunal, chaired by lawyer Rod McKenzie, did not find Mr Malloy’s evidence to be ‘reliable and credible’ after he claimed he inadvertently gave McMillan a drink with cocaine mixed into it.

The 26-year-old,who started his career with Rangers and joined Thistle from Dunfermline in March 2013, claimed today that the club ‘took the easy option’ and ‘hung him out to dry’.

But Thistle have now released their version of events and a statement read:

* As per our duty of care as an employer, the club doctor immediately contacted Jordan to discuss any issues and offer any and all assistance required. The offer of help was not taken up by the player.

* Player confidentiality around this incident was maintained at all times. We were not able to discuss this matter until the decision was published by UKAD.

* The club protected the player in the first instance by citing, at Jordan’s request, personal circumstances as the reason for his omission from match day squads. It became obvious that there wouldn’t be a prompt resolution to the matter and, given that club staff were being repeatedly questioned as to the reasons for Jordan’s absence, we simply stated the player was suspended. We did not mention any failed drugs test or suspension from football. Jordan and his legal team were kept up to date of all club communications on the matter.

* Under a player’s contract of employment with any SPFL club, failing a drug test is classed as gross misconduct and clubs have the option to instantly dismiss the player. The club refrained from this course of action in the first instance and suspended Jordan on full pay, which continued until his contract was terminated nine weeks later.

* The club offered Jordan a new contract, contingent on a length of ban, which would mean UKAD had taken into account the mitigating circumstances and reduced the mandatory two year suspension. This revised contract included a wage being paid to Jordan during the time he was ineligible to play for the club. Jordan rejected this contract.

* Informed Jordan of UKAD’s concerns over the non-specialised legal advice he was receiving, even though we were under no obligation to do so.

McMillan did not play in the Premiership match at Parkhead, which Alan Archibald’s side lost 1-0, but was on the bench after spending the previous couple of weeks out of action through illness and a knee injury.

In the finding released yesterday it was stated that boss Archibald ‘regretted putting the Athlete in this position because he had never intended to have him enter the field of play and it was only because he was on the substitute’s list that he had been required to undergo the “dope test” that resulted in the Anti-Doping Rule Violation.’

McMillan would make just one further appearance for Thistle – in the 4-0 win away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle on December 13 – before he was suspended on January 7 on full pay.

In February, it was confirmed that Thistle had terminated his contract but the defender is standing by his claims that his drink was spiked.

UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead said: “UKAD’s role is to protect the integrity and spirit of sport, and athletes, at all levels, need to understand the importance of Strict Liability – they are solely responsible for any banned substance that is found in their system, regardless of how it got there or whether there was an intention to cheat or not.

“The principle of Strict Liability can be challenging for athletes. They have to ensure that they understand the anti-doping rules and that their family, friends, coaches and athlete support personnel understand them too. They need to be aware of the risks their career faces if they test positive, and ensure they manage that risk at all times."