Rangers goalkeeper Andy Firth has officially joined Partick Thistle on loan until the end of the season [Ptfc.co.uk].
Firth was plucked from non-league football in England by his former Liverpool Academy coach Steven Gerrard in 2019.
He was brought in as cover for then senior keepers Allan McGregor and Wes Foderingham and made his debut off the bench on the final day of the 2018/19 season in a 2-1 defeat at Kilmarnock.
When Foderingham was released in 2020, the club decided to sign Jon McLaughlin rather than promote Firth and he hasn’t added to his tally of senior appearances.
His lack of minutes didn’t stop him getting two contract extensions during Gerrard’s time at the helm, but his current deal expires in the summer and he’s currently way down the pecking order.
Therefore, the club have allowed him to head out elsewhere, with Thistle snapping him up on Saturday morning, just hours before their Scottish Cup Fifth Round clash against Dundee United.
“We’re pleased to welcome Andy to the club and add another quality goalkeeper to our ranks,” said Jags boss Ian McCall [Ptfc.co.uk] “With Harry Stone leaving last month, we were left with only Jamie [Sneddon] and Mason [McCready]in terms of goalkeepers and Mason is a very young player who is still learning.”
“As such, we wanted to bring in another ‘keeper to bolster our options and when a proven professional like Andy became available we thought it was the ideal opportunity for us.”
The move all but confirms Firth won’t play for Rangers again and now his focus will be on impressing sufficiently at Partick Thistle to attract offers come the end of the season.
He’ll have to oust Sneddon from the no.1 jersey first, though, which won’t be easy given that he’s kept 16 clean sheets from 27 appearances across all competitions this season.
Meanwhile, three exciting Rangers talents have been spotted in training ahead of the Scottish Cup clash against Annan.
