Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald has been working to add new players to his squad for the upcoming season. However, equally important is recruiting the right coaching staff to get the best out of the squad available. After watching goalkeeping coach Paul Gallacher leave it was vital that a new coach was on Archibald's shopping list. He managed to tick that item off by appointing Kenny Arthur, who is no stranger to Firhill fans.
The former Jags number one made 287 appearances for the side between 1997 and 2007 during which time he enjoyed a rollercoaster riide of results with consecutive promotions seeing the club back in the Premier League, before consecutive relegations sent the side back to the Second Division. In 2006-07, with the club back in the First Division, Kenny was rewarded with a richly deserved testimonial game against Celtic Arthur then heading south to Accrington Stanley and Rochdale playing 15 times in the campaign that saw the club promoted to Football League One. A move to Grimsby Town, which included a loan at Gainsborough Trinity was followed, in 2012, of a return to Airdrie United, appearing against Thistle as the Jags won the First Division. His final appearance against Thistle came in a pre-season friendly for Annan Athletic in the summer of 2013. Arthur took his first step into coaching the next season when he combined playing for Annan Athletic while coaching at Queen of the South.
Arthur spoke of his return to Glasgow and said: "I’m delighted to be back at the club. I spent a long time at Firhill as a player and to return to a club which is close to my heart as a coach is a great privilege. I’ve learned a lot about coaching during my time at Queen of the South and I’ll always be grateful that they gave me the opportunity to take my first steps into goalkeeper coaching. I’m looking forward to meeting Tomas, Ryan and Conor in pre-season and getting started."