Lambie voted top SPL boss

John Lambie: Serving success on a plate

Partick Thistle's John Lambie has earned the Scottish Premierleague's top managerial accolade after his side's excellent start to the season.

Lambie had been persuaded to postpone thoughts of retiral in order to lead his First Division champions on their long-delayed return to Scotland's top flight.

And Thistle's prediction-defying antics have won Lambie the Bank of Scotland manager of the month award for August.

Lambie told BBC Scotland: "Yes, it is a big surprise. Winning this award was the last thing on my mind.

You can't ask for more than 100% and they have probably given me 110%

John Lambie

"I have been delighted with the players.

"You can't ask for more than 100% and they have probably given me 110%.

"But I still feel that we are favourites to go down."

The Glasgow side won one and drew three of their games, their only defeat coming via a single goal conceded in running close Scottish champions and city rivals Celtic.

Thistle moved into fifth spot in the SPL on Saturday after a fine win over Aberdeen.

A panel of sports journalists were not only impressed by Thistle's results.

It was pointed out that they were achieved by a club with significantly less financial resources than most of the clubs in the SPL.

Lambie's spirit of adventure, media-friendly attitude and sense of fun also came in for praise.

Only this week he handed an Under-21 debut to 39-year-old Chic Charnley.

Chic Charnley is back with Thistle

The midfielder often described as Scotland's answer to Paul Gascoigne because of his skill yet controversial personality has been brought back to the club from the junior wilderness to help coach Thistle's youngsters.

A spokesman for the Scottish Football Writers said: "Proving many doubters wrong, Partick Thistle have combined a strong team spirit with some entertaining football.

"After a steady start, it would have been easy for Partick Thistle to lose ground after the narrow defeat to Celtic.

"However, the John Lambie and Gerry Collins partnership is not one to give up easily and this was proven in the excellent 1-0 away victory at Aberdeen on Saturday."

Bank of Scotland treasurer and managing director George Mitchell said: "John Lambie has been one of the most charismatic and hard-working managers in Scottish football over the years.

"It is therefore particularly pleasing that he has won this award.

"He is a manager who has brought a team from the Third Division to fifth position in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague."

Bank of Scotland will donate £1000 to a charity nominated by Lambie.