Omagh teenager earns professional contract with Scottish side Partick Thistle
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Omagh lad, Caolan McAleer, right, who has signed a full-time professional contract with Scottish Division One side, Partick Thistle. SU0301CC
AN 18-year-old footballer from Omagh received a belated Christmas present on Tuesday of last week when he signed a full-time professional contract until the end of the season with Scottish Division One side, Partick Thistle.
Having been on trial at the club for an initial four days at the end of November, Caolan McAleer impressed sufficiently to have that period extended to four weeks and has subsequently been rewarded for his efforts with a six month contract with the view to an extension.
During 2011 there had been rumours of a number of cross-channel clubs, including Rangers, Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End, being interested in having a look at the talented attacking midfielder.
However, it wasn't until November that McAleer received the call from Partick - where a certain Alan Hansen began his career - and he hasn't looked back since.
The teenage midfielder, who has represented Tyrone at the Milk Cup, Northern Ireland at schoolboy level and Linfield's reserves, has already played well for Thistle's under-19s and twice for their reserve team, as he aims to make his mark in the professional game.
He came off the bench for the reserves during a 3-2 defeat to St Johnston and set up their opening goal, and he played against a Rangers second string which included the likes of Northern Ireland international, David Healy, and former Everton defender, David Weir, during a 2-0 reverse.
Having already had a brief taste of the big time, young McAleer, a former pupil at Omagh CBS, is determined for his stay across the water to be a long one and he hopes to impress former Celtic defender, Jackie McNamara, the Thistle manager, to gain a more permanent deal.
“I've played in matches against St Johnston and Rangers already, it's a big step up, but I'm really enjoying it," beamed the youngster. "Rangers had a couple of first team players in their team, so it was great to test myself against them.
“I've been told by the manager that if I keep working hard in training then a first team contract shouldn't be a problem and there might even be a couple of opportunities to play for the first team before the end of the season, which would be amazing.
“I just have to keep working hard and trying to impress, it's down to me, so hopefully I'll secure a longer contract," he concluded.
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