JOHN ROBERTSON has signed a new one-year deal with Partick Thistle.

The 33-year-old has had an outstanding season for Thistle and with Queen of the South understood to have shown an interest in his services, Jags boss Ian McCall has moved quickly to tie up Robbo for another 12 months.

The former Hamilton player joined the Jags in August 2001 after being signed by Dick Campbell.

Since then, he has become one of the most consistent performers at the heart of the Firhill rearguard, alongside skipper Alan Archibald.

McCall said: "We were always hopeful that John would agree a new deal and I'm delighted he has chosen to sign on for another year.

"John has been a real stalwart at the back for us and his fitness levels remain superb.

"It was always going to be vital that we kept hold of our best players for next season in the first regard, before anything else, and John falls into that category.

"I felt his partnership with Alan Archibald at the back was vital to us over the course of the season."

Experienced back-up keeper Craig Hinchcliffe has also signed up for another year as McCall again looked to move quickly to make sure cover is in place should No.1 shotstopper Jonny Tuffey be the subject of a summer transfer bid.

Hinchy, 36, managed only two appearances last term, both in the Challenge Cup, but has been instrumental in Tuffey's progression and development into arguably the best keeper in the First Division.

However, utility defender Simon Storey's new one-year deal remains on the table, with the Aussie yet to sign, as the Jags enjoy a week-long post-season break in Spain.

The 26-year-old former Melbourne Victory man has been another mainstay of the Firhill rearguard, mostly at sweeper but also on the right flank and is now out of contract.

Meanwhile, released midfielder Scott Chaplain is interesting ambitious Third Division champions Dumbarton.

Chappie won the Third Division Player of the Year award while at Albion Rovers when Sons gaffer Jim Chapman was in charge at Cliftonhill.And he remains highly rated by his former gaffer.

However, with the player understood to be keen to stay full-time, Dumbarton could face a fight for his signature.

Another of Thistle's released players, Kevin McKinlay, is believed to have been the subject of an audacious enquiry from Third Division outfit Montrose.

But the 23-year-old's undeniable skills seem sure to attract interest at a higher level.