Latest news with #Jags'
The Herald Scotland
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Mark Wilson was driving force behind joining Thistle, says Tony Watt
No one was more pleased than Watt, who had taken to running alone at the Emirates Arena during the close season in a bid to stay fit. Well, mostly alone. 'I like the back-and-forth in a good way,' Watt said of his antics on social media. 'It's hard to say when you don't really know, but until it's done, until it's signed, you can't really hang your hat on anything. 'But it's one that's very exciting for me and I'm just delighted to be starting today. 'It's been a bit difficult running myself the last seven, eight weeks, and I haven't been able to take a big break, so I've just been running myself a bit. I've missed the camaraderie and having somebody to push me. 'I got called out to a race the other day by a 63-year-old at the Emirates! I went for a coffee with a couple of boys from Motherwell ,and I got in the gym and a boy came up to me and was like, 'I've seen you running the other day, I told my wife I want to race you and see where I am'. 'So I was lined up on a 60-metre track against a 63-year-old. After that I told Snoddy [Robert Snodgrass] and he just said, 'I think it's time to get a club, it's getting a bit far'. I explained it to him and he was crying with laughter while I'm in the Emirates racing with a 63-year-old mixed martial artist.' Watt is the Jags' fourth summer signing after deals were concluded for Lewis Budinauckas, Patrick Reading and Cammy Logan, and the well-travelled centre-forward is pitching up at Firhill during a summer of change as Mark Wilson puts his stamp on the squad. Working alongside Wilson, Watt says, was a major attraction of signing on the dotted line. One conversation was enough to convince the striker. 'Yeah, he was the kind of driving force behind [my decision],' Watt explained. 'I know it's a great club, a big club that's local. We had some good conversations, and just the way he spoke about the game, the way he spoke about the club, the way he spoke about changing the club, in terms of working with what he's got and making the best of that [convinced me]. 'When I left the conversation, I gave him my word that I would sign. It was just a matter of getting it done.' As one of the livelier personalities within Scottish football, Watt's off-field antics can occasionally generate some interest. His public adoration of his pet chickens, for instance, was seen as a charming quirk, but sadly they will not be joining him in the north west of Glasgow. As Watt recounts, tragedy struck earlier this year. 'Aye, they're gone, they're dead,' he said. 'We moved house last year, and we put them on a farm, and the guy we gave them to forgot to put the door down on the coop, and they got scrammed by a badger. 'I felt there was a bit of a set-up,' Watt continued, tongue firmly in cheek. 'That somebody who maybe doesn't like me has gone up there in a badger suit and ate my chickens. Something was a wee bit fishy about that. 'I had four of them, and they were well looked after chickens. I was getting all sorts of eggs. You could just feel their comfort level at my house, and then obviously they went away and got eaten.' Replacement chickens are not on the agenda, but Watt hopes he will be regularly honouring their memory. 'I'm not allowed any more, my wife won't let me,' Watt added. 'She says they're stinking. Every time I score I'll be [dedicating my celebration to them].'
The Herald Scotland
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Dan O'Reilly relishing chance to lead by example at Partick Thistle
Stuart Bannigan, Brian Graham and David Mitchell had over 700 appearances between them in red-and-yellow, and all three have departed Firhill this summer. It leaves 30-year-old O'Reilly as one of the seasoned veterans in the dressing room, and the centre-half is aware that there is more responsibility resting on his shoulders this term. Rather than shying away from it, though, it is a role the Irishman is relishing. "Sometimes I forget I'm one of the older boys now,' he said. 'There's no secret, we've lost Brian, Banzo and Mitch. That's a lot of experience and it's important other players step up. "We have to drive the standards. There's going to be a blend of youth and experience in the team. It's important the young boys have players around them that set the standards. "We definitely need to step up and I do see myself as one of those experienced heads. I try and lead by example on and off the pitch and hopefully that seeps into the younger guys. "There's going to be times when we're under pressure because of results and the likes of myself and Lee [Ashcroft] have to show the way." Ashcroft, in particular, will be expected to lead by example. The defender was yesterday named as the Jags' new skipper following Graham's move to Falkirk, while Bannigan - who had been at the club for 14 years - upped sticks and signed for Ayr United. (Image: GordonTerris/Herald&Times) "Lee is a great choice,' O'Reilly said. 'I think he is a model professional and a leader. "I've loved playing with him and you know what you're going to get from him all of the time. He drives standards and he's a great captain to have at the club. "Obviously Brian was captain before and it is an important responsibility. Lee will take that on board. "We have a nice balance playing together. We communicate well and I think we're similar in some ways but different in others. "In terms of the spine of the team, I think we work well together. You need to always fight for shirt." Bannigan's exit has understandably felt a little surreal for everyone connected to the club. A modern-day Thistle legend who was seen as part of the furniture at Firhill, there is an entire generation of Jags supporters who have never seen a Thistle team without the midfielder on the books. O'Reilly admits that turning up to training - Thistle's players returned for pre-season last week - has been a little strange without Bannigan's presence. "It's tough, especially when someone has been there for such a long time,' he explained. "He knows no different than Thistle. So it's probably as strange for us as it is for him. "That's football though. You just have to get on with it. He was great for us last year, but him leaving presents opportunities to other players here. "I'm excited to see other people stepping up and I've already seen people taking on other roles in the squad." O'Reilly may well find himself taking on a new role this term. Thistle are in need of a vice-captain, after all, and as an experienced and reliable head, it would come as little surprise if the centre-back was given the nod. "Maybe! We'll see what happens,' O'Reilly grinned when the proposition was put to him. 'If it did happen, I'd be delighted. But I do try and lead all the time anyway. "It would mean a lot to get the armband on. There might be times when Lee is unavailable through injury or suspension and if the chance comes, I would love it."
NBC Sports
17-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Matthew Berry's Top 100 Overall Rankings for 2025 fantasy football season
Matthew Berry and Co. discuss player ADPs they expect to rise this summer, highlighting Trevor Lawrence in a pass-friendly Jags' offense, Jauan Jennings' surge with the 49ers, and a 'free lottery ticket' down the board. Now that the NFL draft is behind us and training camps are ramping up we have a much clearer picture of the NFL landscape, it's time to update and expand my overall rankings from Top 50 to Top 100. While these rankings are obviously adaptable, they are for a 1 QB league with full PPR scoring. And as we get closer to fantasy draft season, these rankings will expand again to a Top 200. Matthew Berry, As always, please let me know what you think of the rankings – what you agree with, what you don't – on social media where I am @MatthewBerryTMR on all forms of social media (X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, Bluesky) except the Bleacher Nation Fantasy App where I am merely @MatthewBerry. I'm sure you have opinions on who should be on this list, who shouldn't, who is too high and who is too low. Hit me up. Matthew Berry's Top 100 Overall Rankings
Daily Record
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Ian Baraclough undergoes emergency surgery after Partick Thistle chief involved in 'harrowing' accident
Baraclough suffered neck and back injuries whilst swimming in Mauritius and is now recovering in hospital Ian Baraclough has thanked Partick Thistle for their support after he needed emergency surgery on holiday. The Jags' new sporting director was on holiday with his family in Mauritius when he suffered severe back and neck injuries in a swimming accident. The former Motherwell boss was rushed to hospital and had to go under the knife to prevent his injuries becoming life changing. The Scottish Championship club have confirmed that he is now recovering and Baraclough is keen to resume his duties as quickly as possible. "On behalf of myself, my wife, my children and my wider family I would like to thank the surgeons and staff at the Wellkin Hospital, Mauritius for their exceptional care," he said. 'I would also like to thank Club Chairman Richard Beastall and all of the team at Partick Thistle for their support and well wishes. "In my short space of time I have already felt the close bond and drive from staff, players, fans and volunteers that make Thistle what it is. 'I'm looking forward to returning as quickly as possible and get back to that unique and special feeling that really marks Thistle out as a football club with a passion to be different and an ambition to succeed. It is one that I am very proud to be a part of.' Club chairman Richard Beastall said: 'It was a harrowing time for Ian and his family immediately after the accident however things are beginning to settle now. "He suffered broken bones in both his neck and back but thankfully the speed in which he was operated on, and the care that was taken pre-operation, has helped the situation significantly. 'Ian has only been at the club for a short time however he has impressed everyone with his professionalism and drive. Everyone at The Wyre Stadium at Firhill wishes Ian a quick and full recovery.' 'We have contingency measures in place to cope with his absence. These include extra duties being carried out by our new Head of Recruitment, Lee Turnbull, who has now officially started, and others at the club. I thank everyone for rallying together.'
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Get your tickets to the Jaguars' open mini-camp
The Jaguars announced an open mini-camp for the 2025 season on June 11. You'll have the chance to see the Jags' rookies play with the >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< veterans in the field. Advertisement The event will be held at Miller Electric Center, 1 Performance Place. Gates will be open at 8 a.m. Players will be there signing autographs in the Pro Shop from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. WATCH: Second-half surge lifts Armada Women to victory: Watch If you're wondering how to get tickets, you've come to the right place. Click here to get tickets to the Jags open mini camp. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
