PARTICK THISTLE midfielder Jimmy Gibson's Firhill career is finished after boss Ian McCall told him he has no future at the club.

A combination of injury, illness and suspension has seen the 27-year-old former skipper drop down the pecking order this season, and the Jags are now prepared to release him from the final 18 months of his contract.

For the Tank, the war is over.

McCall said: "I have told Jimmy that we are now prepared to release him to allow him to find a new team and get back to enjoying regular first team football.

"It was a tough call, but the fact is that we haven't been able to get the best out of Jimmy this season and he is now a bit down the line when it comes to a starting place in midfield for us.

"So we have now reached an impasse where I think it would be better for both parties if a clean break was agreed."

The former Ranger enjoyed his first outing in three months when he came off the bench at St Johnstone last week for a nine-minute cameo role.

But Gibson's last start was on October 20, 2007, in the 1-1 Firhill draw with Stirling Albion. 12 minutes into that game injury saw him hobble off and perhaps best summed up what has been a hellish campaign for the tough- tackling enforcer.

However, no-one should underestimate the part that Gibson played in helping drag Jags up from the Second Division, when he captained Thistle to an unforgettable play-off promotion at Peterhead in season 2005/2006.

Another highlight was the two consecutive Scottish Cup quarter-finals against Hearts and Dunfermline, when anyone watching could not have failed to be impressed by the way the Tank waged an almost single-man midfield war against twin SPL foes.

In the first of those last eight clashes the ex-Clyde battler earned rave reviews and attracted the attention of Motherwell.

Particularly in last season's no-show at East End Park, Gibson seemed to represent the sole resistance to Fife forces as all around him in the red, yellow and black were posted missing.

But although Gibson became the fulcrum of former Firhill boss Dick Campbell's midfield and took the skipper's armband, his disastrous campaign has seen second-time-around Jag Alan Archibald assume the role.

Yet although the news that current Firhill gaffer McCall is prepared to let Gibson go will activate the interest of a string of SFL clubs, it is believed that the battle-hardened ex-boiler room boss, with 18 months left on his current deal, may be in no rush to head for the Firhill exit doors while he attempts to regain maximum fitness.

One possible source of interest in Gibson could come from Hamilton gaffer Billy Reid, who bossed him at Clyde. But with Reid having melded an exciting young midfield around the skills of New Douglas Park skipper Alex Neil, Reid may not wish to upset the balance of his central area.

Yet with further talks between McCall and Gibson understood to be on the agenda for later today, it does seem that the end is nigh for the no-nonsense anchor man.

The Jags' midfield pivot role is now being discharged with some efficiency by David Rowson, while Scott Chaplain - available after serving a one-match ban for Saturday's Scottish Cup fourth round tie with Dunfermline - has emerged as a much-needed goal source from the central areas.

That means a winter of some discontent may lie ahead for Gibson if he elects to sit it out at Firhill.