Young Thistle ace Craig Forbes says his move into midfield has already paid off with two goals in the recent 5-0 thumping of Greenock Juniors.


The fleet footed 20 year old, who played full-back last season, was pushed into the centre of play during recent closed door matches, and enjoyed the experience.
Craig has become known as 'The Running Man' at Largs Thistle after regular runs were arranged by manager Stuart Davidson on WhatsApp during lockdown.
The pace and trickery of Craig, who has also been flying in the club's running competitions between teammates during lockdown, will be a major asset for Thistle this coming season.
Asked what his speedy secret is, the modest Greenock born and bred player said: "I don't know but I get a wee reminder on my phone app that tracks my pace how fast I am going so I know when to speed up."
His fastest 5k timing was 16 minutes and 43 seconds is the top time among all the Thistle players, and he regularly heads out running three times a week for fitness on top of his training.
Craig was delighted to get on the scoresheet twice in the friendly against his home town team.
He said: "I had scored a handful last season which wasn't bad given I was playing right-back. I had been speaking to Arnie (manager Stuart Davidson) who put me into central midfield. The first goal was decent play on the left hand side and Stuart Faulds played a reverse pass for me and I had just to tap it home. The second goal Will Sewell played a ball through and I spun on it and converted at the near post.
"We lost out 2-1 to Beith a week later in what was quite a tough match and it was kind of disappointing not to get a result in that game. Keir Milliken hit the woodwork in the 2nd half and their keeper pulled off a cracking save.
Making his debut for Largs last season, the youngster soon made his mark, bombing forward at regular opportunities, and becoming a fan favourite. In his first season, he was pretty much an ever present with 30 appearances, including 27 starts, which is very good considering the season was curtailed with five games left and the West of Scotland Cup brought to a halt due to the pandemic.
Craig said: "It was good to get the first full season in Juniors under my belt last season
"I am just happy to be playing and getting regular game time and I was delighted with how it went last year and looking to hopefully build on it.
"We gelled together really well last season with an influx of new younger players in the side - our fitness was also really good which helped us in certain scenarios and we all learned a lot and grew as a team, and now have a couple more experienced guys in the squad, expectations are high for the coming season."
"My personal highlights from last season was the 4-1 home win over Irvine Meadow, and the victory over Hurlford, and the West of Scotland Cup win at Glens.
"We were put under a lot of pressure in that Glenafton game; I don't know how we managed but it worked and we managed to pull off a big cup scalp."
Craig really enjoys working under manager Stuart Davidson and his coaching staff.
He said: "He always demands high standards and keeps the training intense and lets you know if you are flattening off - we have good rigorous training sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays and it helps keep the standard high going into the match on Saturday.
"I am really looking forward to the new season - it is good that we are playing new teams in the likes of the South of Scotland Cup against Dalbeattie Star; it is something a bit fresh and hopefully we can go on a decent cup run."
Craig signed for Largs on 2019 on a dual contract with St Andrew's in Greenock, and would train with the Thistle side at night.
Craig hails from Greenock and was part of the youth set up at Morton for a number of years.
He said: "I was with Morton for a good five years and really enjoyed my spell there and worked under Calum Robb and Pat McIlvogue. Derek Anderson was the head of youth and he got in touch with Arnie and that was what initiated my move to Largs."
Craig, who is a devoted Celtic fan, is in the third year of his product design engineering course at Strathclyde University - and said: "I am hoping to go into sports products - I am interested in maths and sports which is a good combination and it also covers physics and design - so it is a good and enjoyable challenge."
Craig also has a number of sporting interests including golf which he has enjoyed during lockdown with his friends, and said: "I don't have a handicap as yet but I have just got back into playing again during lockdown with my friends and I am really enjoying it. It gives you something to do over the summer. Greenock Golf Club is literally on my doorstep so it is ideal."
And his other great interest is a bit more unusual - snowboarding!
Craig said: "It started off at Braehead with the indoor slopes - I went up there when I was really young and got into the habit of it and I went on a couple of family holidays to France and Austria and really enjoyed it.
"Balance is important and my brother and I got quite competitive at it to see who could go fastest. The hills are great and I enjoy the off the piste experience too - I don't try and tricks such as back clips or front flips - I leave that one to the experts!"