Gordon pleased with Thistle move after 'stressful' couple of months

Ziggy Gordon is relieved to become a Partick Thistle player after being overwhelmed by career choices on leaving Hamilton.

Gordon admits he struggled to cope with the pressure of making a decision on his future.

The defender, who has signed a one-year deal with Alan Archibald's team, said: "I'm really glad that everything is finalised. I've had a very stressful couple of months, a very hectic couple of months.

"It was stressful every single day since I left Hamilton, even before. Where am I going to go? What's going to happen? Is this deal going to work out? How long do I need to wait?

"But a football player is going to go through this maybe three or four times in their career, so it's definitely helped me experience-wise for the next time it happens.

"The thing as a football player, you feel bad for those who have so little offers and I had a lot of offers and I still felt I was under so much stress to take one.

"I just felt, if I take my time, and really think about where I want to be in the future, not about where I am now, then this is the perfect place to be.''

"Not just because it's handy,'' he joked.

"But the gaffer, the infrastructure - it's a great, small club. I think this will be great for me and I know I will be great for the club as well.''

Gordon felt he needed a change to step up a gear after spending 13 years at New Douglas Park, but Maryhill was a surprise destination.

The 23-year-old said: "I had options to go places that are probably pretty unfamiliar to people. A lot of Wikipedia was used.

"It was a massive decision but I just felt a year at Partick worked perfectly for me.

"I'm looking at the long game. No disrespect to anyone at Partick Thistle, it's a big club and I'm appreciative and lucky to be here, but I know another year here will help me massively.''

Thoughts of his next career decision have been shelved though, as the versatile defender looks forward to the season opener on Friday night, when Thistle travel to Airdrie in the Betfred Cup.

"Right now I'm not thinking another thing about looking abroad or where my career's going to take me,'' said Gordon, who looks set to replace long-term injury victim Mustapha Dumbuya at right-back.

"All I'm focused on is Friday. I've not played a game in a couple of months and I can't wait to get started.

"I'm a professional, I've been working away constantly since the end of last season, so I shouldn't be too far away, if not bang at it.''