IAN McCall says he won’t be taking any more than a few days off this summer as he looks to build on the feelgood factor at Firhill following Partick Thistle’s title win.

The League One campaign might well have concluded a fortnight ago but the Jags boss has been working away in the background in Maryhill as he prepares for a crack at the Championship with Thistle.

Contracts have been renewed, players have been released and transfer targets have been identified as the squad building has got into full swing in Glasgow’s west end. And according to McCall, the hard work is only just getting started.

“The first two weeks have been really hectic and it’s probably only going to get busier,” he said. “I won’t be able to get away to lie on a beach because we can’t, so I think I’ll have a few days away in Mull with a pal and that will be it. So I’ll have plenty of time.

“It’s good to try and get away for even a week but really, there’s an awful lot to do. I live in the West End so I’m here every day.

“The excitement and the momentum that those 35 days [as Thistle stormed to the title] provided for our club invigorated everyone. It’s invigorated me and the board are doing their best.

“[Chairman] Jacqui Low and [chief executive] Gerry Britton have been great to try and facilitate the plans that I want. We’re not quite there yet but as I like to say, one of our greatest ever managers, John Lambie – he used to always say ‘I’m two players short’.

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“I’m not unlike any other manager. It’s about trying to keep the core of the team and adding five or six players that we think will improve things.”

Defender Kevin Holt has already joined from Dundee and McCall has confirmed his interest in former Queen of the South striker Stephen Dobbie. But as well as new faces arriving at the club, there are also those who are waving goodbye.

Joe Cardle was released after scoring seven goals and providing 10 assists for Thistle during his final campaign and on-loan midfielder Andy Geggan is set to return to his parent club, BSC Glasgow. But another loan addition, Steven Bell, might well be sticking around at Firhill year for another after making a big impression in the starting line-up.

“I’m meeting Steven and there’s one or two things we need to talk about,” McCall explained. “The one thing I can’t do – and it’s the same with Andy Geggan – I can’t let my heart rule my head.

“Geggsy knows he’s leaving and Bell – they’re my boys, they’re warriors. They’ve had a huge influence in that period at the club. Bell’s reading of the game is so good that he’s one where perhaps something might be done.”