JAMIE SNEDDON had to wait years for an extended run in between the sticks for Partick Thistle and now that it has finally arrived, it’s fair to say the 24-year-old has seized his opportunity rather convincingly.

When he first arrived at Firhill from Cowdenbeath four years ago he knew it would take time to make the No.1 jersey his own but even he didn’t think it would take so long. It was only a few months ago that Sneddon became Ian McCall’s first pick between the sticks; a decision that has paid off handsomely for the club and the player himself.

A run of eight consecutive clean sheets – a club record – could be stretched to nine tomorrow afternoon when the Jags host Arbroath and Sneddon highlighted the contribution of one coach in particular as crucial to his success.

“I have always felt my time here had been a bit stop-start and I was beginning to think this season was going to be the same,” said Sneddon, Thistle's McCrea Financial Services Player of the Month for November, the second month in a row he's won the fans' award.

“But thankfully I got back. Even then I made a mistake at Inverness. It was a real low on the bus back down but Kenny Arthur spoke to me and I was able to get some perspective.

“He’s been massive for me since I signed here. I think he had a big say in bringing me to the club, he watched me a few times for Cowdenbeath. There have been ups and downs but as a goalie coach he’s been huge for me in that respect – not just training and coaching but also the mental side of the game.

“He’s helped me grow as a person. I was still a wee boy when I first signed here but we’ve grown up together in the last four years and I can’t speak highly enough of him. He’s a great guy and I owe a lot to him.

“He’s been there and done it. He has a story for every occasion but he always tells me the bad ones.

“I know he was probably a very good keeper but he always tells me about the mistakes he made. He’s very humble that way.”

Sneddon’s contract is set to expire come the end of the season but the man himself is confident of thrashing out an extension in the near future. McCall said last week that he expects his goalkeeper, central defender Tunji Akinola and striker Zak Rudden to commit their futures to the club imminently but Thistle fans will have to wait a little longer until they can sleep a little easier at night.

“It’s something that’s getting talked about just now but I leave that to the people around me,” Sneddon said of the contract negotiations.

“I just want to concentrate on my football and enjoy being in the team and playing every week. I love playing for this club and I’m loving my football at the minute.”

Partick Thistle's Player of the Month Awards are sponsored by McCrea Financial Services, the only Independent Advisory firm in the UK to receive the 2021 Gold Standard Award for Retirement Planning.