The Jags faithful have chosen Stuart Bannigan as the McCrea Financial Services Player of the Month for December making it back-to-back awards for the Thistle midfielder.

Bannigan, the club’s longest-serving player, has been a crucial cog in the middle of the park for the Maryhill men thanks to his ability to look after possession and win it back.

Playing every minute of Thistle football during December, Stuart has now started 12 straight games in all competitions since coming back into the first XI against Airdrieonians in October.

Upon receiving the award, Bannigan said:

“I’ve really enjoyed being back in the team for the past couple of months but to have been voted Player of the Month twice is a nice added bonus.

“The start of my season was interrupted over and over again by little injuries so just to get the run in the team has been great but obviously you can always push on and do more.

“The last couple of results have been a real disappointment for the team because we’d done so well putting a run of results together only to now be set back again. The whole squad is determined to get back on the right track against Hamilton and hopefully create another positive run.”

McCrea Financial Services are again this season providing a charitable donation for each monthly award winner, with Stuart choosing Homeless Project Scotland for his donation.

On the donation, he said: “Last month I chose for my donation to go to research into Motor Neurone Disease after seeing Kevin Sinfield at The Wyre Stadium at Firhill. This month I want to do something for a more local charity and that is why I have chosen Homeless Project Scotland.”

“It is great that McCrea Financial Services are being so generous and that I have been able to donate to two charities.”