TIME TO PART WAYS?

Jags chief hopes Graham stays but won't rip up deal as he promises no 'slashing and burning' of the squad

- ALAN ROBERTSON

FIRHILL chief Richard Beastall hopes to see Brian Graham banging in the goals for Partick Thistle again but is adamant "we're not going to be ripping up contracts".

And the chairman insists the Championship club are "lucky" to have Mark Wilson after handing their former Under-18 boss the first-team reins.

Confirmation that one half of Jags' interim management team will remain in the dugout permanently after the other half passed on the job has left fans guessing over Graham's future.

The talisman, on 100 goals for the club, made it clear before and after the final game of the season returning to the dressing room as a player would be tricky following his gaffer gig.

The 37-year-old still has a year left on his playing deal and, as the Championship's top scorer two seasons in a row, isn't likely to be short of suitors.

But Beastall, unveiling Wilson on Friday while sporting director Ian Baraclough was getting married, said: "Brian's a contracted player at Partick Thistle. He's a legend with the club, he's scored 100 goals, my kids have got shirts with his name on the back.

"But Brian Graham's got to do the best thing for Brian Graham.