MARK MISSION TO BRIDGE AGE GAP AT FIRHILL

IF anyone knew the emotions 17-year-old Jamie Low was faced with on being thrown in for his debut in a play-off pressure cooker, it's Mark Wilson.

- BY ALAN ROBERTSON

And the man now making those calls on a permanent basis shows no sign of being afraid to place further faith in Firhill prospects if it’s earned.

Wilson, promoted from Partick Thistle’s Under-18 boss to first-team head coach - with a three-month stint as interim co-gaffer in between - made his first Dundee United start as a 17-year-old in a derby.

Defender Low followed his lead last month at Ayr, grabbing an assist as Jags reached the semis before Livingston stepped in.

Wilson, back in the SPFL firing line for the first time in five years, had senior stalwarts such as Derek McInnes and Jim McIntyre guiding his first steps in the game after emerging under “father figure” Alex Smith.

And while he knows this Championship has a habit of being ruthless, the quartet of youngsters who featured during the run-in isn't likely to be a one-off.

“I don't want Partick Thistle fans thinking they will turn up and see my Under-18 team from last year playing,” said Wilson.