FORMER PLAYERS

On the 26th of January 2007, Falkirk turned down an improved bid from Rangers for Alan. While the first offer was £100,000, Falkirk manager John Hughes was said to have been holding out for half a million in the hope of selling him before he could leave for free in the summer. After failed late attempts to sign Alan before the January transfer window closed, Rangers signed him for 3 years on a pre-contract agreement for him to join the club in the summer.After being granted special permission by Falkirk, Alan made his Rangers debut in a post-season friendly match against LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center, coming on as a half time substitute for Nacho Novo. His first competitive match, however, was four months later when he played in a League Cup match against East Fife on the 26th of September 2007.

Steven Thompson another "young jag" signed for Dundee Utd Boys Club on the 1st July 1996 and made his way through the youth ranks impressing the United management team enough to let him make his first team debut on 3rd May 1997 against Heart of Midlothian. Since then Steven has gone from strength to strength and is now an established first team player. Steven better known as "Stevie" has scored against some of the best defences in the SPL bagging 2 against "The Gers" at Ibrox season 2001/2002, top notch striking we at Gleniffer Thistle are sure you'll agree. In fact Alex McLeish must also have agreed with our views as he brought Big Stevie to Ibrox, and now playing for Cardiff City Fc, another great advert for the Jags.

Derek McInnes played for "The Jags" as a youngster before moving on to Greenock Morton, his big break came when he signed for his beloved Glasgow Rangers and became a household name in Scotland. When Rangers began to dismantle their most successful side in recent years Derek was offered a move to French club Toulose and then English first division team West Bromwich Albion. This became an excellent opportunity for Derek and he rose to the challenge by captaining "The Baggies" to promotion to the English Premiership season 2000/01 last season, 2002/03 West Brom were relegated and Derek returned home to ole bonnie when signing for premier league Dundee Utd. Back in the old tangerine again Delboy eh?  Derek left Dundee and Captained Millwall FC before returning to Perth to play for St.Johnstone, the club which he is now the manager of. Add to this Derek's call up to the Scotland squad to play Denmark and we are sure you will agree this is an ex Gleniffer Thistle player who really has reached the top level of professional football, well done Derek from all at Gleniffer Thistle B.C.

James Grady has played in Scotland for his entire career, after a spell in Junior Football with Arthurlie, he moved to former senior outfit Clydebank, who now play junior before spending three seasons with Dundee. A further three years were spent with Ayr Utd, before a prolific season in the SPL with Partick Thistle saw him finish the top Scottish scorer with 15 goals. An unproductive season with Dundee Utd followed, in which he scored just twice, but Grady rediscovered his scoring touch in 2005 with Gretna. On the 28th of April 2007, he scored an injury-time winner against Ross County to secure Gretna's promotion to the SPL as First Division champions. He has now joined Hamilton on the 31st of January 2008.

PaulGallacher left Gleniffer and started started his career with Dundee Utd and spent seven years with the club. He had a short loan spell at Airdrie in 1999 but became first choice with Dundee United at the start of 2001, replacing Alan Combe in the team. Paul was highly regarded by United supporters, who claimed at the time that he was 'Scotland's Number One' goalkeeper. He was instrumental in achieving United's highest-ever SPL finish, fifth place, in 2003/04. Paul was a regular for Berti Vogts' Scotland teams, winning 7 caps. He then left Dundee United to join Norwich City in July 2004 on a free transfer. The Canaries had just been promoted to the Premiership.On the 20th of August 2007, Paul moved back North on loan to  Dunfermline Athleticto help with their goalkeeping crisis. He has since helped them earn valuable points with stunning penalty saves against Dundee and Queen of the South.

Keith Lasley is best known so far for his cracking goal against Glasgow Rangers, but this tough tackling midfielder has the ability to be known for so much more, Keith is yet another ex Gleniffer Thistle player who signed on at Motherwell F.C in 1999. Under the new management team at Fir Park Keith has the ability and determination to go on and become one of the countries top utility midfielders. Keith left Motherwell and had a very succesful time at Plymouth before returning to Scotland and Motherwell.

Neil Scally, with the dodgy tash, left Gleniffer and signed for Ayr Utd and played 51 times for the club. After leaving Ayr he then turned out for Dumbarton and played 27 times during the 2002/2003 season. He then  signed for Falkirk where he teamed up with John Hughes who he played along side at Ayr. Neil played 71 times for Falkirk scoring 3 times. He is currently playing with Dumfries side Queen of the South. Neil's favoured position is in the heart of midfield where he has the reputation a strong, tough tackling no-nonsense performer.

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