Ian McCall says Partick Thistle title win is perfect birthday present for his 87-year-old mum Emma

A jubilant and emotional Ian McCall dedicated Partick Thistle’s League One title triumph to club chair Jacqui Low and his 87-year-old mother Emma.

Partick Thistle players celebrate winning the Scottish league one title at Firhill . (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group)

Thistle thumped Falkirk 5-0 at Firhill to seal an immediate return to the Championship following their controversial relegation last season which was bitterly contested by Low and her fellow board members.

Manager McCall wouldn’t be drawn on his own feelings about Thistle’s treatment by the SPFL but savoured his team’s powerful display with a double from Brian Graham complemented by goals from Zak Rudden, Scott Tiffoney and Joe Cardle.

“I’m just delighted for Jacqui and all our supporters,” said McCall. “I’m very proud of the players and it’s a good birthday present for my mum who’s 87 today.

“It was some way to win a championship. Since we came back, we’ve won seven and drawn four. We’ve got a real potent threat going forward. I’m just delighted as we played really well to win it.

“It’s not the Scottish Cup of 1921 and it’s not the League Cup of 1971 but it's a trophy for Thistle.

“Everyone who’s met me away from football knows how I’ve been feeling but isn’t the time to talk about it. There’s a lot of things that have happened but I don’t think now is the time to talk about it.”

Falkirk still require a point from their last two games to secure a play-off place and interim boss Gary Holt was left dismayed by their performance.

“We came here with a chance to get back in the title fight and we didn’t do it,” said Holt. “We succumbed as soon as the first goal went in. Then it was as if we wilted. That’s not part of my make-up or what my teams are about.

“We want to finish with two wins now. People are going to look at it to see how we react.

“We’ve had injuries since we came back, it’s been brutal. But that didn’t cost us the game - not taking responsibility and doing your job on the pitch cost us. It’s not acceptable and I agologise for it.”

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