James Cairney, The Herald (Scotland) Journalist Profile

Articles

Thistle chairman on Wilson's appointment, Graham's future and summer budget

3 weeks ago | heraldscotland.com | James Cairney

After publicly declaring his interest in the role, Graham subsequently turned down an offer from the Jags last week, leading to Wilson getting the gig – but Beastall insists the former Airdrieonians and Brechin City boss was always in the board’s plans for the future. “He’s a great coach first and foremost,” Beastall said of Wilson.
Mark Wilson keen to give youth a chance at Partick Thistle

3 weeks ago | heraldscotland.com | James Cairney

Wilson - who had been leading the team on an interim basis since February alongside club captain Brian Graham - has spent the last year and a half as Under-18s manager. With Thistle suffering an injury crisis towards the end of the season, Wilson and Graham promoted from within to plug gaps in the first-team squad.
'The ball's in Brian's court': Wilson on landing Thistle gig and Graham's future

4 weeks ago | heraldscotland.com | James Cairney

Mark Wilson accepts that his name does not carry the same sort of weight as the likes of newly-appointed Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti – but the 40-year-old remains convinced he has what it takes to be a success at Partick Thistle. The former Scotland internationalist yesterday signed a two-year deal to become the Jags’ permanent head coach, having led the team on an interim basis alongside Brian Graham since February after Kris Doolan was sacked by the Championship club.
Livingston play-off could be my final game for Thistle, admits Graham

1 month ago | heraldscotland.com | James Cairney

Brian Graham admits he may have played his last home game for Partick Thistle (Image: SNS) Brian Graham admits Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat at home to Livingston may have been his final game for Partick Thistle at Firhill. The 37-year-old, who is the Championship’s top scorer this season, has been managing the men’s team on an interim basis alongside Mark Wilson and leads the women’s side, as well as being a key player on the park for the Jags.
'I might not have been a footballer': Graham fears kids are being priced out

1 month ago | heraldscotland.com | James Cairney

Partick Thistle captain Brian Graham was speaking to promote the Chase football coaching programme (Image: Scottish FA) Of all the industries that populate our increasingly hectic world, sport has always been a powerful agent of social mobility. With the right amount of talent and hard work, the thinking goes, people from all sorts of backgrounds can make it to the top, lifting them out of challenging circumstances and improving their lives.
Partick Thistle 0-2 Livingston: Jags have it all to do after first-leg defeat

1 month ago | heraldscotland.com | James Cairney

The Jags lost at home to Ayr United in the previous round before turning the tie on its head on the road, and the Glasgow club will require a similar display if they are to progress to the final. There were two changes to the Thistle starting XI: Dan O’Reilly returned to replace the injured Kyle Turner; and Ben Stanway dropped to the bench to make way for Logan Chalmers, who had missed the previous three games.
Jakubiak keen to make big Thistle impression during Premiership play-offs

1 month ago | heraldscotland.com | James Cairney

Alex Jakubiak's contract at Partick Thistle expires at the end of the season (Image: SNS) Brian Graham’s winner against Ayr United on Friday night is a moment that will live long in the memory for Partick Thistle supporters – even if it left Alex Jakubiak feeling a little short-changed.
Two in and one out for Thistle as Wilson provides Fitzpatrick update

1 month ago | heraldscotland.com | James Cairney

Partick Thistle interim co-manager Mark Wilson (Image: SNS) Mark Wilson has revealed that Dan O’Reilly and Logan Chalmers are in contention to start tonight’s Premiership play-off semi-final against Livingston – but Kyle Turner is expected to miss out.
Ashcroft hails patched-up Thistle's fighting spirit as Jags gear up for Livi

1 month ago | heraldscotland.com | James Cairney

Lee Ashcroft had to have his head bandaged up during Friday's 2-0 win at Somerset Park (Image: SNS) It’s fair to say that the Partick Thistle line-up on Friday evening was patched up, to put it mildly. In Lee Ashcroft’s case, though, the phrase was a tad more literal. Partick Thistle did not have their problems to seek going into the Premiership play-off quarter-final second leg at Somerset Park.
Ayr United 0-2 Partick Thistle: Graham gets century to seal play-off comeback

1 month ago | heraldscotland.com | James Cairney

There were two changes to the visitors’ starting XI. Centre-back Dan O’Reilly, who clashed heads with Nick McAllister during the first leg, was ruled out and Steven Lawless dropped to the bench, while Ben Stanway came into the midfield and 17-year-old Jamie Low was handed his professional debut at left wing-back. This was a Thistle side that was very much down to its bare bones.