Bannigan signed permanently for the Partick Thistle youth development team, full-time, in May 2009, following a period of trialling prior to a full-time contract. playing in the U17s side, Bannigan made his first team debut as a substitute on 24 July 2010 against Clyde in the Scottish Challenge Cup. Going on to make his league debut for Partick Thistle from the start on 11 September 2010 against Stirling in the Scottish First Division. He made one more appearance before being sent out on loan. trophy in 2013. On 4 November 2010 Bannigan joined Scottish Second Division side Ayr United on a one-month loan deal. He made his debut against Dumbarton on 13 November 2010. After only 5 games his loan was extended until the end of the season. Bannigan made 24 Appearances scoring 4 goals to help Ayr gain promotion to the Scottish First Division via the play-offs. Following his loan spell at Ayr United, Bannigan would be often used in first team ins and out in the 2011–12 season. After the last game of last season in which he scored his first thistle goal in against Hamilton Academical, which the results was 2–2. In the 2012–13 season, Bannigan was on a high and scored his first goal of the season against Queens Park at Hampden Park in a 5–4 thriller, in the second round of the Scottish Challenge Cup. Just a week later, on 25 August 2012, Bannigan set up a goal for Kris Doolan before scoring the goal for himself, in a 3–0 win over Dumbarton. In a match against Falkirk, on 27 October 2012, Bannigan suffered a leg injury in the first half and was substituted. Forty-eight-hour later, Bannigan revealed he passed his driving test. Though it was serious at first, Bannigan managed to escape the injury, which he describe it as "relieved". Soon after, on 24 November 2012, Bannigan scored his second league goal of the season, in a 2–0 win over Livingston. Then, the next game, on 15 December 2012, Bannigan scored his third goal of the season, in a 3–2 win over Raith Rovers. Bannigan won the club's young player of the year for 2012/13. He was substituted during the extra-time period of the 2013 Scottish Challenge Cup Final, which Thistle lost to Queen of the South. At the end of the 2012–13 season, Bannigan was named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year. He signed a new two-year contract at Thistle in June 2013. In September 2013, Bannigan was awarded the Scottish Premiership Young Player award. On 14 May 2014, Bannigan signed a new two-year deal with the Jags. Bannigan made his 100th league appearance for Partick Thistle against Hamilton Academical at Firhill Stadium on 23 August 2014. Bannigan decided to leave Partick Thistle at the end of his contract in May 2016, having rejected their offer of a new deal. However, on 27 June 2016, Bannigan reversed his decision to leave Firhill, and committed to Partick Thistle for a further two years. As of the 2018–19 season, Bannigan became the new Club Captain, as Kris Doolan returned to his role as Vice-Captain, having stood in for Abdul Osman for the previous season. In late 2018, Bannigan signed an 18-month extension to remain at Partick Thistle until 2020. In Early 2020 under the new management of Ian McCall, Bannigan penned a new 2-year contract extension, to remain at Partick Thistle until 2022, which would see him surpass a Testimonial, at the club. After the 2019/20 season was finished early due to the Cornavirus pandemic, Partick Thistle were relegated for the second time in 3 seasons, now being relegated to League One. Bannigan choose to stay at Thistle following their relegation making him and teammate James Penrice, the only two players left at the club from their time in the Premiership.
Style of play
Bannigan is renowned for his excellent passing ability, creative instinct and leadership ability. He has been described as a tough and tenacious player who is a consistently strong midfield player. Bannigan has severely struggled with knee injuries. He was sidelined for the second half of the 2015/16 campaign, the entire of the 2016/17 season and most of the 2017/18 football season and made a gradual return after 2018.
International career
Bannigan, along with teammate Stephen O'Donnell, was called up by Billy Stark for the Scotland U21 squad. Bannigan played his first match international debut, in a 1–1 draw against Greece U21. He was also called up for an under-21 match against England.
