Celtic defender joins Partick Thistle on season-long loan | OneFootball

Celtic B defender Ben McPherson has completed a season-long loan move to Scottish Championship side Partick Thistle…

New signing Alisson Santos of Sporting CP with Ben McPherson of Celtic FC in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Sporting CP and Celtic at Estadio Algarve on July 16, 2025 in Faro, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

The 21-year-old, capped five times for Scotland at U21 level, participated in Brendan Rodgers’ side’s pre-season preparations.

McPherson was in Rodgers’ starting lineup for Celtic’s 3-2 defeat against Estrela Amadora in Portugal last month and the youngster also appeared in the 4-0 victory over Premier League side Newcastle United at Celtic Park in the inaugural adidas Trophy match.

Pierre Weber of RB Leipzig vies with Ben McPherson of Celtic during the UEFA Youth League match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Excelsior Stadium on October 11, 2022 in Airdrie, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Speaking to Partick Thistle’s official club website, Jags boss Mark Wilson was delighted to secure McPherson’s services. He said: “Ben is going to be an excellent addition to our squad here at Thistle. He fits in perfectly with the ethos we have here because of the energy and effort that he puts into the game, and, having come through at Celtic, he knows how to use the ball too.”

“Like Josh Clarke, it’s not his first loan at this level, so he’s got a good idea of what to expect from the Championship, but at the same time he doesn’t think he knows everything and is keen to keep learning and developing.”

Ben McPherson of Celtic vies with Pierre Webber of RB Leipzig during the UEFA Youth League match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Excelsior Stadium on October 11, 2022 in Airdrie, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

During the 2023/24 season, McPherson spent that campaign on loan at Queen’s Park, making 26 appearances for The Spiders, contributing one assist.

Towards the end of his loan spell at Queens Park, McPherson sustained a severe ACL injury that sidelined him for most of last season.

Ben McPherson of Celtic vies with Pierre Webber of RB Leipzig during the UEFA Youth League match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Excelsior Stadium on October 11, 2022 in Airdrie, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

He will now join up with his Hoops academy teammate Josh Clarke at Firhill. The young keeper had to watch on last Saturday as Wilson’s side suffered a 5-1 hammering to St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on the opening week of the Championship season.

With former Celts Mark Wilson and Scott Brown at Ayr United signing Celtic’s academy players, there could be more on their way out to these two clubs before the window shuts at the start of next month.

Conor Spence

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