Second season kicks off, and straight away there is a one to watch. New-ish signing Simon Murray scores in nearly every friendly and Premier Sports Cup Group game, including in a rare win at Accies, who fortunately were promoted via winning the 21/22 league title.
Once again the league gets off to a lacklustre start results-wise, before Thistle once again kick in to form after a few games. Simon Murray continues his flying form, scoring for fun against all-comers. But he isn’t alone in that. Dario Zanatta, Anton Dowds, Harvey Knibbs, and new signing Callum Hendry (for a mere £10k) all give Murray a run for his money. Win after win in the league makes it seem as if all Thistle’s attackers have a hefty wager on themselves being top scorer. Hendry even scores 4, yes 4, goals in a 5-1 win against Raith Rovers.
Thistle crash out of the SPFL Trust Trophy in the Quarter Final in soul-crushing fashion. 2-1 up against Arbroath, then conceding in the 94th and 95th minutes to lose. Classic Partick Thistle. Next game after that upset is a freshly relegated Ross County, who are tanned 6-1 at Firhill, with County’s one scorer being none other than Thistle flop Kyle McAllister.
Thistle exit the Scottish Cup in the Quarter final in a 2-0 loss to St Johnstone, and around this time falter in the league, losing more than they should expect. This fumble leads Thistle to a 4th place finish and a first round playoff exit to Ross County who get promoted in the end. Strangely, the league is won by newly promoted Falkirk, who seemed unstoppable all season.
5 wins from the last 16 league games is a tragic end, but the scoring never stopped in this time. With a lot of Thistle players hot on his tail, Simon Murray claims Championship top scorer and Player of the Season.
30 players came in for less than £100k this season. To name a few, Scott Tiffoney returns on loan going in to 23/24, Ciaran McKenna comes back as Steel realises he made a mistake, Reading loanee Harvey Collins becomes Thistle’s star ‘keeper, and £5k signing centre half Jordan McGhee becomes a stalwart at the back and leaves next season for a £40k profit.
A great number of young players join on a free to be developed, loaned out, sold for great profit. Thistle have more players out on loan than you can count. Kyle Turner and Robbie Crawford move, Chris Erskine leaves after a terrible spell at the club, Maciver draws £100k from Livingston, and Steven Bell and Kris Doolan retire after playing less than 10 games between them that season.
A disappointing season compared to the last, but by no means a failure. Onwards!
Maryhill is Wonderful 