Dunfermline Athletic manager Jim Jefferies has paid tribute to axed Pars defender Jordan McMillan after his departed skipper completed a move to Partick Thistle.

McMillan, 24, was among seven first-team players axed by administrator Bryan Jackson at East End Park on Thursday.

But Thistle swooped within hours and the former Rangers youth could bounce back to pick up a Ramsdens Cup winners' medal and a place in the SPL.

Jefferies is delighted for McMillan who, he believes, has grown as a player and a person during a tumultuous 13 months at Dunfermline.

"I knew Jordan could play at a higher level and that is shown by Partick Thistle signing him; a club who, in my view, are the favourites to go up and best equipped for the SPL," added Jefferies.

"If they get promoted, they have a ready-made Premier League player in their ranks.

"He is a wee bit of a 'Jack the lad' but there is not an ounce of malice in him. He is a terrific boy and he handled things really well as my captain."

McMillan has been joined at Firhill by Andy Dowie, while goalkeeper Paul Gallacher is expected to join Ross County.

The rest of the axed first-team players face a four-month wait before they can sign for another club due to tonight's transfer deadline. However, Jefferies has no doubt they will be back in action next term.

"The one thing I really hoped was that these boys would find clubs," he said. "I have to say that there is not one of the players who have left – or the lads that are still here – who have given me a day's bother. You don't often get that at a football club.

"There are usually one or two difficult ones – I could give a few boys a showing up by naming them, but I won't – and it is something you have to handle. But not here."