ALAN Archibald has urged the Scottish FA to allow new chief executive Ian Maxwell the same freedom he has enjoyed at Partick Thistle.

The 42-year-old was named as Stewart Regan’s successor in the Hampden Park role on Monday and will move to the governing body at the end of the season.

Maxwell has been an ever-present figure behind the scenes at Firhill throughout Archibald’s five years in charge and the Thistle boss believes his colleague must be given free rein to ensure his success in the new role.

“If he is allowed to do what he did here at Partick Thistle then he will bring a lot to the SFA,” he said.

“He will make decisions and he won’t back down. He has done a fantastic job here and we were allowed to get on with the job together.

“He had a fantastic board to help him as well and they let him get on with the job. He has to have that type of relationship with the SFA as well if they want him to be a success. If he doesn’t have any barriers, then he can do a very good job.”

Archibald is convinced that the former Ross County and St Johnstone defender’s people skills were a key factor in him landing the job and admitted his departure will be a significant setback for the Jags.

He said: “I think that is the reason he has the job. He makes good relationships with everyone.

“When we made decisions, he didn’t just think of Partick Thistle, he thought of the whole league, or Scottish football in general. He is an honest man with great integrity and I hope he can bring that to the SFA.

“He made decisions here and he looked at it from every aspect. He would look at it from a player’s point of you, that of a manager, a director and a supporter. I am sure he will do that at the SFA. He will bring an honesty in the decisions he makes.

“It is a massive blow because I have had a great relationship with him. He has done a fantastic job at the club. He is a people person and everyone, even in the office, will say that and I am sure some of the players will miss him as well.”

On the pitch, Thistle picked up a crucial three points against Hamilton last weekend to leapfrog Ross County into the relegation play-off spot and end a 10-match winless run.

Archibald was impressed by the fight shown by his side to come back from a goal down as they look to move clear of the relegation places with victory against St Johnstone in Perth.

“The unity has always been there,” he said. “It was a horrible run and we hadn’t scored or won in so many games.

“The players haven’t shirked from that and they are an honest group. They knew the consistency wasn’t there and we haven’t performed well enough this year. You saw the spirit in the second half coming from a goal down.”

He added: “I wouldn’t say (St Johnstone) were an ideal team to play but we have been there before and won and that gives us confidence.

“If you are going somewhere you have won before you can look forward to it. I watched them last week and they were unlucky to lose a late goal. They are a different side to the one we faced in January as they have a few new faces.”

Defender Paul McGinn is out of contract at the end of the season and was linked with a move to Championship winners St Mirren this week.

The Thistle boss would like to see the 27-year-old remain at Firhill next season but admitted that the club’s uncertain future has left them in a difficult position.

“He is someone we want to keep but there is a clause in his contract and it is his decision,” he said.

“We are in limbo as we don’t know where we are going to be next season. It is fair game with all the guys who are out of contract and we have done it before. I don’t know if St Mirren have had a chat with Paul because we haven’t heard anything from them, but that happens in football.

“The club comes first and we need to try and get ourselves kept in the league and if we do that we can decide on everyone’s future.”