LOAN WATCH | Ali and Ando play in final fixtures

Ali McCann and Steven Anderson played in their respective loan clubs' final fixtures of the 2018/19 season at the weekend.

It was a cause for celebration for Ando and his Partick Thistle side as the Jags produced a big win to escape the relegation play-off picture while for Ali and Stranraer it was a disappointing defeat to Airdrieonians.

Ali McCann (Stranraer)

Ali McCann signed off his spell at Stranraer on Saturday but would have been hoping for a better result in his final game.

Stevie Farrell's men secured their safety a few weeks earlier with a 3-0 win against Brechin - a match that Ali scored in - but fell to a 4-1 defeat on the final day of the season against Airdrieonians.

Ali has had excellent reviews since arriving at Stair Park on-loan and the 19-year-old midfielder was rewarded with a new one-year-contract at the club as a result.

He told Saints TV shortly after signing his new deal: "I'm delighted to get it signed and be sorted for next year.

"The loan move to Stranraer has improved me so much. Playing Reserves is good but it's not the same as playing first-team competitive football.

"Being down there in League One meant I played in a lot of high stakes games and I think that's helped to improve my game so much."

Ali made 13 appearances for Stranraer during his loan-spell, scoring once.

Steven Anderson (Partick Thistle)

Steven Anderson has played a huge part in helping Partick Thistle retain their Ladbrokes Championship status since arriving at Firhill in January and the experienced defender was involved again as the Jags gave it one last push for safety.

Gary Caldwell's men ran out 3-0 winners against Queen of the South on Saturday a result which secured a 6th place finish for Thistle and left the Doonhamers in the relegation playoff spot.

It's no coincidence that since Ando joined the Jags they've had an upturn in results and Caldwell has spoken a number of times about the positive influence that the 33-year-old defender has had since his arrival at Firhill.

Ando made 16 appearances in all competitions during his time at Thistle, scoring 3 goals.

Kyle McClean (Linfield)

Kyle McClean enjoyed a successful loan-spell in his native Northern Ireland during the second half of the season, winning two trophies with Linfield.

The young midfielder and his Linfield teammates were crowned the Danske Bank Premiership winners as well as NIPL Cup champions with the 20-year-old playing 90 minutes in the final.

Kyle also received international recognition with Northern Ireland U21s, making two appearances while out on-loan at Windsor Park.

During his time at Linfield, Kyle made 9 first-team appearances in all competitions, scoring once.

O'Reilly, Ballantyne, Quigley, Sinclair & Struthers (BSC Glasgow)

The trio of Euan O'Reilly, Cammy Ballantyne and Ben Quigley ended the season on-loan with Lowland League outfit BSC Glasgow as the side secured a 2nd place finish behind eventual winners East Kilbride.

During the season two other Saints youngsters featured for BSC - Ross Sinclair and Shaun Struthers - with the latter's spell cut short due to injury.

The exposure to first-team football has been welcomed by all five players who have played their part in a strong season for the Indodrill Stadium outfit.

Ross Sinclair was the first player to join BSC on-loan back in September and he was joined by Cammy Ballantyne a month later.

Shaun Struthers made the move at the end of November with Ben Quigley joining him in January at the same time as Ballantyne extended his stay until the end of the season.

Euan O'Reilly was the last Saints player to make the move, joining BSC in February with Shaun Struthers being recalled at the same time due to injury.

All five players have also featured regularly for Alan Maybury's Saints Reserves side this season.

• Ross Sinclair: 8 appearances, 3 clean sheets
• Shaun Struthers: 9 appearances, 2 goals
• Ben Quigley: 4 appearances
• Cammy Ballantyne: 17 appearances, 1 goal, 3 assists
• Euan O'Reilly: 6 appearances, 1 goal, 2 assists

* Stats taken from BSC Glasgow website.