GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MAY 10: Celtic's Sean McArdle (R) and Kasper Schmeichel (L) during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park, on May 10, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Sean McArdle has joined Partick Thistle on loan until the end of the season.
The midfielder made two brief but eye catching first team appearances at the end of last season but hasn’t been involved with the first team this season.
Celtic have a Co-operation Agreement with Ayr United which involves Jude Bonnar and Kyle Ure going on loan to the Championship side but they can be recalled by Celtic with both playing in the recent Challenge Cup tie away to Alloa Athletic.
McArdle won’t be able to do that but will join fellow Celtis Josh Clarke and Ben McPherson at Firhill where Mark Wilson seems to be building a team capable of finishing high up the Championship table although St Johnstone are looking strong favourites to win promotion.
So far this season McArdle has played in four SPFL Challenge Cup ties and 803 minutes across 10 matches in the Lowland League.
Switching Caledonian Braves, Civil Service Strollers and Berwick Rangers for matches against ambitious, full-time opponents should give him the platform to raise his own game.
Sean McArdle has joined Scottish Championship side Partick Thistle on loan until the end of the season.
Best of luck, Sean! ? https://t.co/XOhP2GCqB3 pic.twitter.com/pNZ9HPbCFl
— Celtic FC B (@CelticFCB) October 1, 2025
Thistle boss Wilson told his club website:
We’re delighted to add Sean to our squad for this season. He’s a very talented young midfielder who has been playing regular Lowland League football for a couple of seasons now.
He’s calm and composed on the ball and has that creativity in possession to go and create goals, either by scoring himself or by setting up his teammates.
We’ve already had Josh Clarke and Ben McPherson come in on loan from Celtic and make a real impact and I’m confident Sean can do similar.
Thistle are currently in second place with 16 points from seven matches, on Saturday they are at home to Arbroath with the lower divisions continuing through the international break.
McArdle won’t be involved in that match since he has been named in the Scotland u21 squad alongside Ben McPherson, clubs need to be without three players to call a postponement.
With Tony Watt also at Thistle there is a real Celtic feel about their team this season, unlike some loan signings Clarke and McPherson have gone in and made a real impact.
Joining on loan in October isn’t ideal but over the next eight months McArdle has the chance to build on those two impressive substitute appearances against Hibs and Aberdeen.
CLICK HERE for McArdle’s Transfermarkt stats.
CLICK HERE for Dermot Desmond’s Dunhill Cup tee-off times.
We disagree about this boy but I think he is a star and will prove it. He came on for the last 10 minutes in one game and it around and we won. Is reward was covering for MacGregor in the twilight zone of the midfield which was way beneath his talents.
Time will tell. Needs a good manager who can develop players.
The three others I felt this way about after seeing them once were Larsson, Tierney and the unfortunate John Kennedy who would have been a real talent.
Editor: He won’t get a better manager than the guy that gave him his Celtic debut, I don’t think he will flourish next season under the Lennon/Maloney/Wilson dream team.
In the interests of the English speaking viewers
“turned it around” and “his reward”
After seeing his dazzling appearance at Pittodrie towards the end of last season, I really thought we had a huge prospect on our hands. Sad to see him completely drift out of the first team picture after the close season but hope this loan move to Thistle will do him a lot of good. I’ll be keeping tabs on his progress.