PARTICK THISTLE skipper Thomas O’Ware has joined Troon FC’s youth academy to become development team head coach.

The former Morton ace, who began his career in the Rangers youth system, started as a professional at Cappielow, but moved to the Jags in 2018.

It followed after a series of standout performances in the 17/18 campaign for the Ton, where the centre half was attracting interest from Wolves, Birmingham and boyhood club Celtic.

Speaking on the move, Troon gaffer Jimmy Kirkwood said: “We are delighted to be able to bring in someone of Tam’s abilities to head up our development team ahead for an important season.

“Our team will enter the Lowland Development League West against some of the best young teams in the country.

“It was important to me to have the best coach we could get to look after the team and whilst we have taken our time to appoint him, we are delighted that we have found the right one for us.

“Not only is Tam a player of the highest pedigree, he is the right kind of individual for us going forward.”

O’Ware’s Partick Thistle commitments will be unaffected by the move, with the development matches being played on a Friday evening.

Tam will replace Jamie McCulloch as head of the development side after he left for Irvine Meadow earlier in the summer.