Langfield joins Partick

Partick have signed goalkeeper Jamie Langfield until the end of the season.

The former Scotland Under-21international was one of 15 players sacked by Dundee earlier in the season when the club was plunged into administration.

The 24-year-old has signed for the Jags following a short spell at Raith – and could make his debut against Dundee in the Bank of Scotland Premier League on Saturday.

Thistle’s first choice goalkeeper Kenny Arthur lasted just six minutes of last week’s cup win at Morton before being forced off with a hamstring injury.

That handed a debut to rookie Stephen Pinkowski, who was deputising for normal bench-warmer Kevin Budinaukas.

Confirmation that Arthur would not recover in time for the visit of Dundee, the club directly above them, prompted Thistle’s co-managers Derek Whyte and Gerry Britton to make their first signing.

Langfield appreciates the irony of arriving back in the top flight at a time when his new employers are about to do battle with his old ones.

He told ptfc.co.uk: “I have gone from being out of a job to into a job and then into another job. But it is now great to be at a club like Partick Thistle and have a chance to re-establish myself again.

“There is something of an irony that if I am selected on Saturday it will be against Dundee.

“I am one who doesn’t worry at all about who the opposition are, or what banter goes on between the fans – but I am sure that I will get a bit of stick from the fans.

“It has been a very difficult three of four months for me. But the good thing was that I got the chance to go to Raith Rovers about three days after getting the sack – and I would like to thank Raith Rovers for that. It has definitely helped me get the move to Firhill.

“I know also that it will be a tough job to get and keep the number one jersey here. Having been understudy to Julian Speroni for more than a year, I am aware of the task in hand – but I will be doing my best to push Kenny and also the other goalkeepers here, Kevin and Stephen.

“Given what has happened recently, I am delighted to get the chance to get settled into football again and I couldn’t have asked for more than another Premier League side.

“I am here to the end of the season and I hope I can use this time to re-establish myself in the game again.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Derek Fleming has become the first of the current squad to sign a new deal.

The 30-year-old, whose career has been interrupted by injury, agreed a one-year extension with an option for a further year.

He said: “I am delighted. The current atmosphere in and around the club is very good, and that is the main reason why I am so pleased to commit my future to the club for the next season at least.

“We have all been impressed with the way things have been going and we are going into one of the most important games of the season so far.

“If we can win on Saturday I am convinced that we can stay in the Premier League this season, so we are all aware of the prize on offer.”