Ronnie MacDonald, the Hamilton Academical vice-chairman, has severely criticised West Ham United after a collapsed bid for the Lanarkshire side's left back, Stephen Hendrie.

The 20-year-old was reported to be heading to London in a £2m move but it collapsed last night to the ire of MacDonald, who said: "We had agreed terms with Crystal Palace for Stephen to go there once the transfer window opened but unfortunately Neil Warnock lost his job so that fell away."

He said that West Ham had already expressed an interest and the clubs had talks after the Palace bid cooled. MacDonald said a deal was arranged with the English Premier League club after talks with representatives of both sides.

He said: "The fee was agreed, Stephen agreed personal terms through his agent and they were meant to come up to our place on New Year's Day to sign off the deal and didn't appear. They then said they would up on the 4th but didn't appear so I just cancelled the deal."

MacDonald, whose side lost 5-0 to Partick Thistle last night with Kris Doolan netting four goals for the hosts, added: "I'm getting phone calls from London saying they want to resurrect it but as far as I'm concerned it's off. I'm presuming they have seen Stephen playing against Celtic when he did really well for a kid and changed their mind but I have not changed my mind."

He continued: "I'm not concerned about him moving in the summer under freedom of contract because we will be compensated. I always like to deal with add-ons and with add-ons the fee for Stephen would have been well in excess of £2m. We are sorry for the boy because he is not getting his big move."

He added: "I think West Ham are shambolic and if that's how they carry on their business that's up to them. They should do things properly."

Hendrie seemed to be affected by the disarray and played poorly at Firhill. They are expected to announce a replacement soon for Alex Neil, their manager who left for Norwich City.

The resultant goal spree was a pleasant surprise for Doolan, who said: "It is my first senior hat-trick, never mind scoring four. My last four was in Junior football but that was years and years ago."

Frank McAvoy, the Hamilton assistant, would not blame Hendrie for his performance, saying: "It was a bad night at the office and we lost poor goals. There is a bit of uncertainty with Alex Neil going to Norwich and the sooner that gets sorted, the better."

McAvoy, who will join his former boss at Carrow Road, added: "I didn't see 5-0 coming but goals change games and we need to pick ourselves up now."

Alan Archibald, the Thistle manager, was delighted, particularly with his goal-scoring striker. "They were great finishes from Dools - all four of them," he said of the striker's first-half double and second half repeat. "His back-heel will get a lot of plaudits but they were all good, especially the header for his fourth."

Thistle had only taken two points from the previous four matches and Archibald added of Doolan: "He's set a high standard but he had a really good run at this time last season too. Getting the second goal was a big moment but we were outstanding against a very good Accies team.

"We've probably been threatening that kind of home result but the challenge is now to take it on against Kilmarnock on Saturday."