Nephew of former Thistle player Ricky Gillies, central defender Liam joined Thistle on a two year full-time trainee contract in the summer of 2012. The former Thistle under 17 player had already featured for the Thistle reserves before joining the Club full-time.
Liam continued to develop during the 2012/13 season putting in some impressive displays for the Thistle reserve side and was eventually rewarded for those displays when he made his first team debut, helping the side to a clean sheet, on the final day of that season against Dumbarton.
Liam continued his progress by starring in the Thistle under 20 side in 2013/14 putting in several impressive performances which saw him make his second competitive appearance for Thistle, appearing as a late substitute in a 1-1 draw away to Hibernian in December 2013. First team football was key to Liam’s development and in the second half of the 2013/14 season he spent time at Alloa Athletic helping Barry Smith’s Championship side avoid the playoffs to retain their status.
Liam returned for the 2014/15 season fresh from signing a new two year contract. He teamed up with another central defensive partner in Jack Hendry as he continued his fledling career with a string of excellent performances. He has developed an attacking threat from set pieces and, in a game against Kilmarnock just prior to Christmas, scored an excellent individual goal.
In early January 2015, an injury crisis forced Alan Archibald to turn to Liam for a vital SPFL Premiership match against Dundee United. Faced with some of the finest attackers in Scotland, Liam put in a virtuoso performance to help the side earn a valuable point in the form of an excellent 2-2 draw. At the end of the month he was again on loan, this time to League One Airdrieonians, to continue his development. His career at Airdrie got off to a flying start with four wins and a draw from his first five appearances.
After a series of strong pre-season showings, Liam has gone on to establish himself fully in the first team picture. He has developed a string of defensive partnerships as he continues his footballing education in the heart of the Thistle defence.
Liam notched his first Thistle goal in November 2015 when he headed Thistle in front in a game against Dundee.
