Arabic version: بقاء ستانواي يعزز آمال بارتيك ثيسل في الصعود

According to BBC News, Partick Thistle manager Mark Wilson believes Ben Stanway’s desire to help the club return to the Scottish Premiership was a major factor in the midfielder agreeing a surprise one-year deal to remain at Firhill.

The 21-year-old, who has been with Thistle since he was 11 and has made more than 100 appearances, had been widely expected to leave during the summer. Stanway scored 12 goals in a standout campaign last season, when Thistle narrowly missed promotion after losing the play-off final to St Mirren.

Wilson said Stanway wants to be part of “something special” and described promotion in the player’s 10th year at the club as potentially “the icing on the cake”. The academy graduate had been linked with several Premiership clubs, and Wilson said in January that a departure appeared close to a foregone conclusion.

However, Thistle maintained contact with Stanway, particularly through assistant manager Alex Rae, and Wilson said the opportunity for him to stay gradually emerged. The manager added that Stanway’s connection with supporters and determination to get the club out of the division can offer an example to younger and more experienced players.

Partick Thistle host fellow promotion hopefuls Livingston on Friday after opening their campaign with a 1-0 away win over Greenock Morton. The match will be shown live on BBC Scotland.