Gerry Collins remembered as Partick Thistle announce death of one of Scottish football's most colourful characters

Gerry Collins was one half of Scottish football’s brightest double acts that spanned over three decades.

As colourful in their language as their personality, the John Lambie-Collins partnership brought joy to the touchlines and success to their beloved Partick Thistle in equal measure.

Collins’ passing at the age of 69 and after a long battle with illness brought a flood of tributes from across the game such was the respect for the former Thistle, Hamilton Accies, Ayr United, Albion Rovers and Stranraer defender. But six years on from the death of his old mucker Lambie, the duo will no doubt be back together laughing, conspiring and cursing - most probably at referees - with an eye on their beloved game from afar.

No story better captures the imagination and dedication of the man than the afternoon in August 1994 when Collins attempted to defy a touchline ban by disguising himself as a builder.

Complete with yellow hard hat the Jags number two took up a position in the half-constructed Jackie Husband Stand and managed to escape the attention of the match officials for most of the match.

That was until the referee caught wind of Collins whose unmistakeable tones were echoing round the construction sight across the park from the dug out. It was with Thistle the tough as teak defender enjoyed his greatest years as assistant to Lambie.

He’d moved to Firhill as a player in 1988 after a spell at Hamilton where he and gaffer Lambie guided Accies to the First Division title in 1986 and a famous 1-0 Scottish Cup win over Rangers.

In 1992, a year after the boots had been hung up following 38 appearances for the Jags, Lambie and Collins took the Jags back into the top flight of Scottish football, pipping their former club Hamilton on goal difference to second spot in the first division.

A far greater achievement followed in the next three seasons though as the duo kept the Maryhill club in the Premier League on the tightest of budgets.

There followed a brief and unsuccessful spell at Falkirk before Partick Thistle came calling again in 1999. Three disastrous seasons since their departure from Firhill had seen the Jags plummet into the third tier and in real danger of dropping to the bottom division.

It required a miracle worker, or two, to turn the tide. Step forward Lambie and Collins who, after saving the club from another relegation, went on to win back-to-back promotions and return the club to the Premier League.

Collins became outright manager when Lambie retired in 2003. But by this point the Jags were in financial turmoil and, with the side bottom of the league four months into the season, he was sacked.

It will never be the abiding memory of the man in Maryhill though. Last month Partick Thistle fans paid tribute during the Championship encounter against Ayr United with a rousing rendition of ‘There’s Only One Gerry Collins’.

Never has a truer word been spoken.