Partick Thistle to offload quartet
Partick Thistle have started their summer clear-out by informing David Amoo, Sean Welsh, Mark Ridgers and David Wilson they will not be offered new contracts.
On-loan Reading defender Niall Keown has returned to his parent club but midfielder Gary Fraser has signed a new deal running to January 2018.
Former Liverpool youngster Amoo signed in 2015 and has gone on to make 71 appearances for the Jags, while former skipper Welsh has racked up over 120 after joining from Hibs five years ago.
Ex-Hearts goalkeeper Mark Ridgers acted as back-up cover for Tomas Cerny after joining from MLS outfit Orlando City earlier this season. He made his first two appearances in the final two games of the season but shipped eight goals inside 135 minutes of action against Celtic and Aberdeen.
Young midfielder Wilson made four appearances for Alan Archibald's men at the start of the season before being shipped out on loan to Stranraer.
Archibald told ptfc.co.uk: "I'd like to place on record my thanks to each of the players who have been released and wish them all the best for the future. I've always said that we have an excellent squad here with each and every one of them having contributed something to the terrific season we have had.
"I would like to give a special mention to Sean Welsh. Sean has been at the club for more than five years and has been a vital part of the squad throughout that time. He was instrumental in our promotion bid and was my captain for the first two seasons in the Premiership, playing a massive part in us securing top six last month.
"We are in a much better position than in previous years as we have the majority of this year's squad under contract for next season and with a number of those players in Sean's position it means that there isn't the opportunity to offer Sean the contract he would want."
But the Thistle boss was delighted to tie down Fraser on a short-term deal.
"Gary has had a horrendous time with injuries over the last two years and we want to give him the chance to prove his fitness and fight for his place in the team," said Archibald.
"We did the same with Sean two years ago and we will be hoping for similar results when it comes to Gary. At only 23, he has plenty of football ahead of him and we are hopeful he can put the last 18 months behind him and hit the ground running when we return for pre-season."