PARTICK THISTLE have appointed former St Mirren and Falkirk star Scott McKenzie as Under-20 coach for next season.

McKenzie joined the Jags coaching staff last season after boss Alan Archibald replaced Jackie McNamara in the Firhill dugout and has now been given a full-time role with the Irn-Bru First Division champions.

Promotion to the SPL means Thistle will have to enter an Under-20 side in a league competition and McKenzie is the man Archibald has chosen to lead the young Jags stars.

The former Ayr United assistant manager will also have a part to play with the Firhill first team, helping Archibald and assistant Scott Paterson as Thistle return to the top flight.

Archibald said: "Scott will take the 20's next season, which I am delighted about.

"He will primarily focus on the Under-20 side and then help out with the first team on a Saturday and assist myself and Scott.

"We are delighted to bring him in full-time to work with the Under-20 squad.

"It will be tough for them next season, we will have a young group and we will have to throw a side together to get the numbers up.

"But, it is one of the good things that comes with being in the SPL and it allows us to get a full-time coach in.

"Before it was always a player doing, I have done it, and you were only doing it a couple of days a week so it was hard to do everything.

"Scott can now concentrate solely on that, his priority will be the Under-20's and hopefully we will see the benefits of that."

Archibald has also added another member of staff to his backroom team after completing a deal to sign former Scotland keeper Paul Gallacher on a one-year contract.

The shot-stopper will compete with regular No.1 Scott Fox for the Jags gloves next term but will also have a coaching role after replacing Craig Hinchcliffe following his move to Dundee United.

Archibald said: "We knew that we would have to replace Craig Hinchcliffe when he decided to leave to join Dundee United and myself and Scott Paterson discussed, with Hinchy, about the best way to go about doing that.

"Paul has played plenty of games, has been capped by Scotland and is still young for a goalkeeper.

"Some clubs go with a young goalkeeper on the bench but I feel that having a player of Paul's experience challenging Scott Fox for his place in goal will bring out the best in Scott.

"Paul has all the coaching credentials and certificates and had already been doing a bit of goalkeeping coaching with Alloa Athletic and I'm sure he will be a big asset for us."

Meanwhile, Ryan Scully and David Wilson have agreed new one year contracts.

The club are still in discussions with Jordan McMillan with a view to a new deal and Jonathon Black and Dale Keenan have been offered six month contracts.