Thistle boss Bryan Slavin said he is delighted to have boosted the squad with the signing of Gary Phillips going into an important run of games.

Largs fought off a number of teams including Premiership giants Irvine Meadow for Gary Phillips' signature.

Thistle head to Rutherglen Glencairn on Saturday on league business, 2pm kick-off at New Southcroft Park.

Gary Phillips played for Thistle earlier in the season, and impressed as a trialist.

Bryan Slavin said: "We are delighted to get somebody of Gary's calibre to add to our squad. We always said we were going to run with a tight squad, but if someone of high quality became available, we would be in a position to make a move."

Gary, 27, found himself without a club after being released by Albion Rovers, and coming off the bench against Shotts, he curled in a magnificent cross to set up James Marks winning goal.

Gary was also instrumental in Albion Rovers’ historic run to the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup two years ago, scoring against Motherwell, during an unforgettable cup run - Albion’s best in 80 years.

He said: “It has been an eventful couple of years, and everybody at Rovers treated me well - I really enjoyed the step up to senior, and it is a challenge to play at the highest level that you can.” Gary, who is a personal trainer from Erskine, moved to Largs from Auchinleck in January 2010, the year when Largs reached the Scottish Cup final, but was cup-tied, and unable to feature in the dramatic run to Rugby Park where Largs narrowly lost out 1-0.

“I have had many personal highlights from my first spell at Thistle, and look forward to many more," said Gary, "All the fans, committte and board at Largs Thistle are very welcoming to me, and I have always enjoyed my time at Largs."