Gerry Collins dies as Partick Thistle pay emotional tribute to legendary figure

Partick Thistle have confirmed the death of legendary figure Gerry Collins at the age of 69.

The former Jags player and manager passed away on Monday after a long battle with illness. Collins spent the final three years of his playing career at Maryhill and also represented Albion Rovers, Ayr United and Hamilton Accies. However, he was better known as being assistant to John Lambie in a management duo revered by Thistle fans.

The Glasgow club said in a tribute on their website: "Gerry's tight network of close family and friends are in our thoughts while they deal with the pain and sadness of the great man's passing after a long battle with illness. That Gerry fought so bravely for so long defied the odds but would be no surprise to anyone who knew him, an individual known more than anything for his battling spirit."

The central defender, who was a close friend of childhood neighbour and Celtic great Tommy Burns, was a key member of the Hamilton team that shocked Graeme Souness' Rangers side in the 1987 Scottish Cup. Accies stated they were "dreadfully sad" to learn of the death of their former captain, who twice won the First Division with the club under Lambie.

Collins joined Thistle on loan in 1988 as the club battled against relegation from the second tier.

Thistle's tribute continued: "A no-nonsense defender, he would make interventions aplenty on the park but perhaps his most important intervention was as the man who convinced John Lambie that a future in Maryhill may be fruitful, and the rest is history. Lambie returned the favour by turning the temporary signing into a permanent one, making Collins his first piece of business as Partick Thistle manager. One of the most famous Partick Thistle partnerships in the club's history was born."

After 38 appearances for the Jags, Collins became Lambie's assistant, leading the club to promotion and enjoying three consecutive seasons in the top flight.

Thistle added: "The most iconic image of Gerry (is) arguably when he tried to defy a touchline ban by disguising himself as a builder complete with safety helmet and 'hiding' from the match officials all alone on the Jackie Husband Stand while it was still under construction. They don't make them like that any more."

Lambie and Collins left for Falkirk before returning to Firhill in 1999, saving the club from relegation to the bottom tier before clinching consecutive promotions to guide the club back to the top flight. Collins succeeded Lambie in 2003 at the start of their second season in the SPL but departures of key players contributed to a difficult and brief spell in charge.

"However, Gerry's body of work at Partick Thistle and his overall contribution to the club was and is nothing less than magnificent, giving a generation of Jags fans some of the best times of their football supporting lives," Thistle added.

Collins later won several trophies as manager of Glenafton and became a taxi driver in Glasgow.