Ian McCall sacking explained by Partick Thistle board as shock post Rangers departure put down as 'strategic'

Partick Thistle have moved to explain the decision to sack Ian McCall in the wake of a battling Scottish Cup defeat to Rangers.

The Scottish Championship side pushed Michael Beale's side all the way at Ibrox but a late Connor McAvoy own goal ensured the holders progressed to the quarter-final stage. In the league, the Jags currently sitting just a point outside the promotion playoff spots, just one point behind Morton, but 10 points behind table toppers Queen's Park.

Defeat to Rangers marked the third consecutive defeat for the club after slipping up against Hamilton and Cove prior to the tough trip to Govan, but the announcement in the wake of defeat to the Scottish Premiership side left many of the Firhill fan base stunned. Club legend McCall was appointed in 2019 and brought Thistle back to the Championship following their controversial relegation during the season that was curtailed due to the Covid pandemic.

McCall lifted the League One title before once again reestablishing the club as force in the second tier, leading the side into the promotion playoffs. With the club on course to repeat the promotion push, the Partick Thistle board have released a further update to fans after Kris Doolan was placed in charge on an interim basis.

The statement read: "The primary aim for Partick Thistle Football Club for season 2022/23 is to regain Premiership status. The management team were given a budget to support this objective.

"Given the playing squad assembled for this season, everyone at the club was united in the belief that this was an achievable prospect. The decision to relieve the management team of their duties in relation to the first team was a strategic decision to achieve this objective. The timing of this