Archibald accepts Lindsay may need to leave Partick Thistle for Scotland recognition

Partick Thistle boss Alan Archibald admits defender Liam Lindsay may have to quit Firhill if he wants to realise his Scotland ambitions.

But the Jags manager has warned the 21-year-old he will only get his move to a bigger club if he continues to shine for the Maryhill outfit.

Lindsay was quoted voicing his frustrations over his lack of international recognition earlier this week.

Despite having racked up 70 first-team appearances for Thistle - with another two dozen during loan stints at Airdrie and Alloa - the centre-back has yet to be capped at any level.

However, the youngster, who was linked with a move to Leeds earlier in the campaign, is determined to eventually make the grade with Gordon Strachan's main squad.

Archibald is thrilled by that desire but admits it is unlikely Lindsay will get his cap call while he remains at Partick.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final trip to Aberdeen, the Thistle manager said: "I'm glad Liam's looking to be ambitious. In fact I'm delighted that he's got the ambitions to go and play at that level, believe me.

"But I think his comments were more aimed towards the Under-21s last year. He was playing regularly for us but never got a sniff of being involved.

"There were other guys who were not playing first-team football at bigger clubs yet were getting in the squads.

"I think that's what he was alluding to, because he felt his form merited it at least so they could have a look at him.

"But the full national team is a totally different thing. You have to keep on churning out good performance to get quoted for that.

"If Liam keeps on performing the way he is right now, his consistency levels will get him a move forward and then he will get quoted for a Scotland cap, there's no doubt about it.

"But that learning curve has to continue. He has to keep on moving forward and get better and better.

"I think he has. Last year he had a number of high profile errors which led to goals - this year though he's cut that down massively.

"Liam is a great lad, a level-headed boy. If anything I want him to be louder and a little more influential in the dressing room. But his time will come.''

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