Playing duo take Partick helm

Partick Thistle FC have named player-coaches Gerry Britton and Derek Whyte as their new management team.

Sole victory
Striker Britton, 33, and central defender Whyte, 35, were handed the reins of the struggling Scottish Premier League club last month when manger Gerry Collins was sacked after just six months in charge of team affairs. Having led Partick to their first league win of 2003/04 against Motherwell FC on 7 December in their management bow, the duo will now be in charge for an indefinite period, with a review at the end of the season.

Still playing
However with just five points from 16 league games, the Firhill side are ten points adrift of Aberdeen FC in the relegation zone. Britton and Whyte will also continue to play for the club although the latter will miss the Christmas programme because he has been hospitalised for a knee operation which caused him to miss the formal announcement of his new role today.