Partick Thistle’s Mr Versatile, Stuart Bannigan, has shown that he is no ‘Jack of all Trades and Master of None’ this season and his fine form for the title chasing IRN-BRU SFL First Division side was recently recognised well beyond Firhill.
The 20-year-old's effervescent approach to playing the game had been picked up by Scotland Under-21 Head Coach, Billy Stark, and Bannigan was selected along with Firhill team-mate Stephen O’Donnell to represent the young Scots last week in a friendly match against Greece in the Municipal Stadium at Korinthos.
Bannigan took his introduction to international football in his stride as Scotland hit back from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw thanks to a penalty from Celtic’s former Airdrie United striker Tony Watt.
“The last few weeks have been great for me and for Thistle,” said Bannigan before adding, “Getting a game for Scotland's Under-21s was a fantastic achievement for me individually and Thistle have got back to winning ways after a disappointing period with successes over Falkirk and Cowdenbeath.
“Playing for the Under-21s was great and it was a new experience for me as I have never been involved in a national squad before at any age group. Stephen was there as well and played for the last half hour so it was a real double for the club.”
Bannigan added: “It was not really a nervous thing to be involved, I would say it was more like apprehension but the boys that had been involved before were great with me. To start the game was fantastic and then play for the full 90 minutes was better than I could have wished for.”
The call up would not have surprised many that have seen Bannigan’s performances this season however, the Jags' player was still slightly taken aback as he explained: “I had not heard that Billy Stark was looking at me or had seen me play. However, the day before the squad was announced, our Manager at the time, Jackie McNamara, told me there was a chance I could be involved.
“He told me to keep my head down and not say anything about it as it was only a chance and I should wait and see what happens. It was a really nice thought all the same but I did not get too excited until the official notification came through.”
Bannigan’s journey to representing his country began in July, 2010 when he was given a Thistle first team debut aged 17 as a substitute against Clyde in an ALBA Challenge Cup tie that was won 2-1. He then made his starting debut for the Jags three months later against Stirling Albion in a First Division game and he featured for a third time against Cowdenbeath before joining Second Division side Ayr United on loan to get more regular first team football.
The grounding he received with the Somerset Park club has stood Bannigan in good stead as he explained: “Ayr gave me a good start in playing in first team games regularly. Ian McCall was the Thistle Manager then and he told me that the Ayr boss Brian Reid wanted to have a look at me for a loan spell down there and that I should go down.
“I went along for a few training sessions and ended up staying for a good while on loan. It was originally only for a month but I got to stay on for the rest of the season and helped them win promotion via the Play-Offs against Brechin which was a terrific time.”
Bannigan, who has featured for Thistle in defence and midfield this season, was used further up the park by Reid and he said: “I played in quite an advanced left midfield position and that led to me scoring a few goals. I really enjoyed my time there and gained a lot of good experience which has really helped my career.”
As well as his Play-Off success with the Honest Men, Bannigan had been a winner earlier in his career when he was part of a Thistle Under-19 side that defeated Livingston 3-2 in the SFL Youth League Cup Final of 2010 at Murieston.
Bannigan was delighted with that success saying: “I remember that game well and it was great to lift that trophy as Livingston were huge favourites to win. Not long after that Cup Final is when I got the chance to play in Thistle’s first team and then go to Ayr to gain more experience. I presume that cup run did me some good in terms of being ready.”
After his return to Firhill, Bannigan was flirting between starting and substitute roles but fate stepped in ahead of a home game against the then First Division Champions elect, Ross County, and since then, Bannigan has not looked back.
He explained: “Last March we were short of a left back as big ‘Sinky’ – Aaron Sinclair - had a hamstring injury and Scott Robertson was also out. I was probably the only left sided player available at the club.
“I was asked to fill in at left back and I decided to give it a go. We lost 1-0 but I really enjoyed playing there and it is certainly different from being in midfield or up front. You get more time on the ball and you get to start more attacks.
“I got six games in a row which was my best run in the Thistle first team at that time and that period actually helped get me established as a player here. Basically, it helped me be part of the team right until the end of the season and beyond.”
The new season could not start quickly enough for Bannigan who said: “I got a good pre-season behind me last summer and things have just got better since then. This season has been brilliant for me and I have played in every game apart from a couple that I missed out on when I was injured.
“I have played in a few positions like left back and in midfield and I enjoy them all but more importantly, I just like playing football.”
Bannigan is undoubtedly looking forward to the First Division’s match of the day this weekend when second top Thistle travel to League leaders Morton.
The Greenock men have won the two games between the sides already this season and a determined Bannigan said: “The Morton game this weekend is a massive one. They will want to win it as it would open up an 11 point gap for them over us. Even with the three games in hand that we have, and another game against Morton to come, that is a big, big gap.
“We don’t want that to happen. A five point gap with three games in hand sounds a lot better but this League is so competitive that you cannot take anything for granted.”
Thistle have been doing their homework with Bannigan adding: “Morton are a really strong side and we know from the last game down at Cappielow that they are very good at set pieces. They won 3-1 that day and scored twice from corners.
“They get the ball forward quickly and they are good at doing it so we need to be on our guard throughout. We know that if we win the game, it sets up a really exciting period for us with The Ramsdens Cup Final coming up against Queen of the South and also going for the League title.”
Bannigan finished by saying: “The run in to the season starts this Saturday and it would be great to start it with a positive result. We know that we get right back into things with a win down at Morton and after losing the first two games against them, a win would be great.”
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