PARTICK THISTLE manager Ian McCall believes that a combination of niggling injuries, his tactical preferences and his team's strong performances resulted in Jake Hastie returning to Rangers.

The 22-year-old winger arrived on loan in Maryhill in the summer but failed to start a single match before being sent back to Ibrox earlier this week.

Hastie made six appearances off the bench for the Jags, with playmaker Kyle Turner usually occupying the berth at right wing in the starting XI.

Left winger Scott Tiffoney has been a stand-out for Thistle this season and McCall explained that between the occasional knock, his side's form and a need to balance the midfield, Hastie was sent back to Rangers as regular first-team football remained a remote prospect at Firhill.

"He had a couple of knocks when he was going to be playing and he was going to play in the [SPFL Trust Trophy], whatever it’s called now, and he wasn’t allowed to because he’d played for Rangers’ B Team in it," McCall said of Hastie's lack of game time.

"It just didn’t work. We’ve only been beat once in our last 14 games so it’s been hard for him to get in.

"Sometimes you can go with two out-and-out wingers like Tiffoney and Jake but sometimes you need to balance it up a wee bit.

"Tiffoney’s form has been brilliant. I mean, on Saturday [against Hamilton] – you just don’t see that type of stuff anymore. He should have done better with various aspects of it but you don’t see a winger give a full-back a time like that these days.

"You used to but you just don’t see it anymore. It was great to watch."

Earlier in the week, McCall told the Thistle website that he wished Hastie the best for his career, adding that he believes the winger can go on to recapture his best form.

"After speaking to Jake we came to the decision that it was best for him to go back to Rangers," McCall said. 

"He’s not had the game time that he or I would have liked for him during his time at Firhill which is unfortunate because I do think he’s a player with a lot of quality.

"Unfortunately, the team has been in good form which has meant he’s had to come off the bench and it’s always difficult to make an impact that way.

"Like I said, he’s a player with a plenty of quality and ability who I’m sure still has a great future in the game and we wish him all the best for that future."