Former Partick Thistle boss John Lambie dies aged 77
Tuesday 10 April 2018 15:32, UK
Former Partick Thistle manager John Lambie has died at the age of 77, the Firhill club have announced.
One of Scottish football's most popular figures, he served three spells as Thistle boss and also had two stints in charge of Hamilton as well as a brief period as Falkirk manager.
In a statement, Thistle said: "Partick Thistle Football Club is deeply saddened to learn that former manager, hall of fame inductee and Thistle legend, John Lambie has today passed away.
"The thoughts of everyone associated with Partick Thistle Football Club are with John's family and friends at this difficult time."
Famous for his straight-talking approach - mostly laced with a string of profanities - Lambie started his playing career with Falkirk, who he represented more than 200 times, before ending his career at St Johnstone.
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He started his management career with Accies in 1984 and shot to prominence three years later as his side claimed a major scalp by knocking Graeme Souness' Rangers out of the Scottish Cup.
He moved to Partick Thistle in 1988 but lasted only a year before returning to Douglas Park. But Lambie, with his fondness for cigars and pigeon racing, went on to become a cult hero at Firhill when he returned for a second spell in charge in 1990.
He guided the Jags to the top flight in 1992 and won acclaim for keeping the hard-up Maryhill outfit in the Premier League despite working with meagre resources.
He stepped down three years later but returned in 1999 with the club at its lowest ebb as they stared at relegation to the old Third Division. But after rescuing the Jags from the drop, he again restored the club to the top division after securing back-to-back promotions.
He retired from management in 2003 but not before leading Thistle to the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup the season before.
Lambie had been battling a long-term illness before his death on Tuesday.
