PARTICK THISTLE chairman David Beattie has moved to reassure supporters that a potential takeover of the club by New City Capital remains on course as he denied claims that he has been seeking alternative investors.

Beattie broke his silence after being approached by Herald Sport for comment on information provided by sources close to the club that the deal by businessman Chien Lee’s investment group was in danger of falling through, and that he was subsequently looking to find other interested parties.

He vehemently denied those claims, stating that the club were in contact with the Scottish Football Association throughout the takeover process and stressing that any decision over the eventual transfer of shares would be made with the best interests of the club at heart.

Beattie, said: “Talks between the Partick Thistle shareholders and the consortium are ongoing and both parties remain optimistic that a deal can be done. The most important thing is that any potential transfer of shares is in the long-term interests of Partick Thistle. If the shareholders are not confident of that being the case then no deal will be completed.

“Although we are still not in a position to go into detail regarding every aspect of the process, there is continued dialogue between the two parties and we are in contact with the Scottish FA to ensure the whole process runs as smoothly as possible.”

In reply to the specific accusation that he had been actively seeking alternative investors, Beattie said: “There is absolutely no truth to these claims.”