Partick Thistle: Ayr United's Ian McCall is leading contender

Partick Thistle have approached Ayr United about bringing Ian McCall back to the club for a second spell as boss.

The Scottish Championship's bottom side have identified McCall as the man they want to replace Gary Caldwell, with another former Firhill manager, Alan Archibald, a contender to assist him.

Clyde boss Danny Lennon has extended his contract until 2021-22 amidst interest from Partick Thistle in him.

Thistle had been denied permission to speak to former player Lennon.

Lennon, 50, led the League One side to promotion last term. He spent four years at Firhill as a player between 1999 and 2003.

"It was flattering to be considered in the mix for the vacant manager's position at Partick Thistle, a full-time club in a higher division, with whom I have a positive history in my playing days," Lennon told the Clyde website.

"However, I am grateful for the excellent working relationship I have here at Clyde with the chairman, board, coaching staff and playing staff."

It remains unclear whether McCall would be willing to swap a team at the top of the division for one at the bottom.

McCall was in charge at Firhill for four years between 2007 and 2011, and has also taken charge of Queen of the South, Dundee United and Falkirk.

Archibald, meanwhile, was dismissed by Thistle last October following a poor start to life in the second tier, having suffered relegation the previous season. It ended his near-seven-year stint at the helm.

Thistle - who were routed at home by Dunfermline Athletic on Saturday to slip to the bottom of the league - are eager to make an appointment prior to next Saturday's Championship trip to Inverness.

"We've not got a final shortlist," said Thistle chief executive Gerry Britton. "The applications are still coming in. Three or four jump out at us that we feel could be conducive to what we're trying to achieve.

"We feel we've got the players and the infrastructure. What we need now is a focal point, a figurehead to pull us up by the bootstraps and take us where we want to go."

After Saturday's defeat, he added: "When you get a performance like today it just brings it home how important it is that the person we bring in to take the club forward is the right man."

Britton, a former Firhill player and manager, will likely lead the team alongside academy director Scott Allison and veteran striker Kenny Miller for Wednesday's League Cup quarter-final against Celtic.

Former Scotland defender Caldwell says "the groundwork has been laid to challenge for promotion this season" after being dismissed.

The 37-year-old was dismissed with the club second-bottom of the Championship.

"I strongly believe the next manager has a great team to work with," said Caldwell.

"The squad that has been assembled is, in my opinion, one of the best in the league, but integrating so many new players takes time," he told the League Managers Association website.

"I am disappointed that I will not be able to fulfil the vision of success I had for Partick Thistle. All I can do is wish the boys and the fans well for the season ahead, it's all still there to play for."