Josh Clarke, the promising young goalkeeper from Celtic, has embarked on a new chapter in his career with a season-long loan move to Partick Thistle, confirmed on July 25, 2025. This move sees Clarke joining forces with former Celtic right-back Mark Wilson, who now manages the Scottish Championship side at Firhill Stadium. The 20-year-old Clarke, who has been highly rated within Celtic’s youth setup at Lennoxtown, is set to gain valuable first-team experience under Wilson’s guidance as he seeks to establish himself further in professional football.
Clarke's football journey is a testament to his steady rise through the ranks. Born in London, he spent over a decade honing his skills in the academies of Chelsea and Bournemouth before making the leap to senior football with Glenavon in Northern Ireland. At Glenavon, Clarke made his professional debut in 2022 and featured in both the NIFL Premiership and Europa Conference League qualifiers, catching the eye of Celtic scouts. This led to his signing with Celtic in August 2022, where he quickly became a regular for the club’s B Team competing in the Lowland League.
Since joining Celtic, Clarke has been on multiple loan spells to gain vital match experience. In 2023, he had an emergency loan stint with Airdrieonians, making a single appearance. More notably, he spent two full seasons on loan at Ayr United under the management of Scott Brown, a former Celtic captain. During his time at Ayr United, Clarke played 22 matches and kept five clean sheets, including two impressive shutouts at the Wyre Stadium at Firhill, demonstrating his growing confidence and reliability between the posts.
Now, Clarke steps into the Scottish Championship once more, this time with Partick Thistle, where he will be managed by Mark Wilson. Wilson, who played right-back for Celtic during Gordon Strachan’s tenure, was appointed Thistle boss in the summer of 2025 following Kris Doolan’s departure. Wilson took sole charge after his co-manager Brian Graham moved to Falkirk. His experience as a former Celtic player and manager brings a familiar and supportive environment for Clarke’s development.
Commenting on the signing, Wilson expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We’re very pleased to bring Josh to the club – he’s a young, hungry goalkeeper who’s already had a taste of Championship football and is keen to play more. We came up against him at the back end of last season, and you could see that he’s an assured and confident player who has plenty of potential, so I’m excited to work with him this season.” This endorsement highlights the faith Wilson has in Clarke’s abilities and potential impact at Firhill.
Clarke’s move to Partick Thistle also reflects the club’s ambition to rebuild and push for promotion after falling short last season. Wilson’s leadership, combined with promising young talents like Clarke, aims to strengthen the squad’s competitiveness in the Championship. The club’s official announcement on Twitter welcomed Clarke warmly, stating, “We are pleased to announce the signing of Josh Clarke on a season-long loan deal from Celtic, subject to Scottish FA clearance. Welcome to Maryhill, Josh!”
Interestingly, Partick Thistle also pursued another Celtic B player, Kyle Ure, in a potential double signing. However, Ure appears to be edging closer to a move to Ayr United, where Jude Bonnar has already joined on loan. Negotiations for Ure reportedly include a possible option to buy, indicating Ayr United’s interest in securing the young midfielder’s services for the longer term. This adds an intriguing subplot to Clarke’s loan, as he may face former teammates and fellow Celtic prospects in the upcoming Championship battles.
Clarke’s progression from youth academies to senior football, and now into a more prominent role at Partick Thistle, underscores the pathway Celtic has established for its young players. With limited first-team opportunities at Parkhead, loan spells like these are crucial for gaining consistent minutes and showcasing talent at competitive levels. Clarke’s experience across different leagues and his exposure to European qualifiers with Glenavon have equipped him with a diverse skill set and resilience, which will be tested further in Scotland’s second tier.
His participation in Celtic’s pre-season preparations earlier this month, including a substitute appearance against Queen’s Park, signals that the club still values his potential and keeps a close eye on his development. The loan to Partick Thistle, expiring in summer 2026, offers Clarke a full season to prove himself and possibly return to Celtic ready to challenge for a first-team spot or attract interest from other clubs.
Moreover, Clarke’s status as a Northern Ireland U21 international adds an international dimension to his profile, highlighting his recognition beyond club football. His performances at Partick Thistle will likely influence his future involvement at the international level as well.
As the 2025-2026 Scottish Championship season unfolds, all eyes will be on Clarke to see how he adapts to his new surroundings and the demands of regular first-team football. With Mark Wilson’s backing and a solid track record from his previous loan spells, Clarke is well-positioned to make a significant impact at Firhill. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to monitor his progress as Partick Thistle aims to climb the league standings and challenge for promotion.
In a competitive and physically demanding league, the role of a dependable goalkeeper is critical, and Clarke’s blend of youth, experience, and potential could be a key asset for the Jags. His journey from Chelsea’s academy to the heart of Scottish football exemplifies the dedication and adaptability required to succeed in the modern game.
With the loan move now official and the season about to kick off, Josh Clarke’s story is one of ambition and opportunity. It remains an exciting prospect to watch how this young goalkeeper develops under Mark Wilson’s tutelage and how he helps Partick Thistle in their quest for success in the Scottish Championship.
