Partick Thistle made the shock decision to axe Ian McCall days BEFORE their brave Scottish Cup exit to Rangers.
Record Sport understands the Firhill board’s mind was made up during the week leading up to Sunday’s trip to Ibrox due to faltering league form putting a dent in their promotion hopes. But directors didn’t want to disrupt preparations for the fifth round blockbuster by puling the trigger on the boss in the build-up.
McCall and assistants Alan Archibald and Neil Scally were given their jotters after the Jags took Rangers right to the wire before losing 3-2 in Sunday’s thriller. But the timing of the announcement was met with widespread shock. The 58-year-old boss still appeared to have no idea of the fate that was to befall him as he conducted post match interviews with the media at Ibrox. The Jags are now hunting a new boss with under 18 coach and club legend Kris Doolan taking interim charge assisted by academy director Paul McDonald ahead of this week’s massive Championship trip to Ayr United.
Pressure on McCall, in his second stint in charge, had been growing over the past month after a poor run of league form that’s seen them lose three of their last four including home defeats to bottom side Hamilton and struggling Cove Rangers.
Having been top of the table and on course for a Premiership return in October the Firhill club are now fifth and outwith the play-off positions having won 10 and lost 10 of their 23 league games.
However, in the ultra-competitive Championship, they are only one point off the play-off positions and 10 behind leaders Queen’s Park with a game in hand on the Spiders.
McCall was confident he could get his side back on track and the performance at Ibrox suggested they were ready to do just that.
Those hopes were dashed on Sunday evening though when Jags bosses confirmed his departure in a statement.
It said: “Partick Thistle FC have this evening relieved Ian McCall, Alan Archibald and Neil Scally, of their duties in relation to the first team with immediate effect. The club would like to place on record it’s sincere appreciation to all three for their contributions to Partick Thistle over many years.
“Under 18 coach Kris Doolan will take on the role of First Team Manager on an interim basis, and will be assisted in this regard by Academy Director Paul McDonald. At this crucial juncture of the season, we ask all members of the Partick Thistle family, to get behind Kris and the team as we strive for promotion to the Scottish Premiership.”
