Phil Brown: Partick can be Scotland’s third force

FORMER Hull City manager Phil Brown has claimed he can spark a Jags revival and turn Partick Thistle into Scotland’s third force.

Brown, famous for once giving his Hull side a half-time team talk on the pitch during an away match at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, is keen to replace Jackie McNamara at Firhill and has outlined his vision to Partick chiefs.

The former Bolton player has been without a job in football since leaving Preston North End in December 2011, but is eager to get back into the game and sees Partick as the perfect step back into management.

Citing the appointment of Gordon Strachan as the new Scotland manager, and the fact he has taken English sides north for pre-season friendly matches, Brown insists he is aware of where Scottish football is, and would jump at the chance to be involved.

The performances of managers such as Neil Lennon, Stuart McCall and Terry Butcher have convinced Brown that taking Partick to the top of the SPL is a realistic goal.

Durng his four years in charge at Hull, Brown lifted them from the depths of the Championship to the English Premier League, and is eager to replicate that success with the Jags, who are currently sitting second in the First Division.

The Partick board are due to meet today, to discuss what steps they should take in finding a successor to McNamara, who joined Dundee United last week.

Alan Archibald is currently overseeing club events on an interim basis, and has been labelled the favourite to take the job on full-time.

Brown has, however, emerged as a front-runner, and with his impressive CV and history of taking on young players and blooding them, could fit in well at Partick - most of the first-team squad are aged 25 or under.