Butcher - axed by Sydney FC last month - blasted A-League football as third-rate last week...but has now taken a low-profile position at the Scottish First Division side.

He will join caretaker boss Jimmy Bone on the bench for tomorrow's match against First Division leaders Gretna.

Partick sacked manager Dick Campbell on Tuesday, but Butcher, 48, insists he does not want to become Thistle's new boss.

Bone has been made caretaker until the end of the season, with the Partick board admitting it is a chance to land the job on a permanent basis.

"Can I make it clear that I am not here looking for the job as manager," said Butcher.

"That would not be the right thing to do with respect to Jimmy and I am only here to help out. I have no hidden agendas whatsoever.

"Now all our energies are focussed on Gretna tomorrow and I can't wait."

Butcher, who also captained England, told www.ptfc.co.uk: "I am delighted to have the chance to get back into training the lads and this hopefully will be a good thing for both parties.

"The internet is a fantastic tool and it has allowed me the chance to keep up to date with everything that has been going on while I have been away and I have a fair understanding of which players are here and I can't wait to get working with them.

"I will initially be working with the defence as I understand that the goals-against column is high but you defend as a team as well as attack as a team so we will be focusing on all these things over the next few weeks."

Partick are currently sixth in the First Division, eight points above bottom club Airdrie, and have lost four of their last five league matches.