We can’t afford to lose boss.. he’s one of the best there is
PARTICK LATEST ARCHIE IN DEMAND Osman praying Thistle don’t lose gaffer as Oxford make their move
Abdul Osman, above right, joins team-mate Adam Barton in modelling Partick Thistle’s new away kit which goes on sale a week today. ABDUL OSMA is terrified Partick Thistle can’t hold on to Alan Archibald because he’s one of the best bosses around. The Jags captain gets nervous every time a job comes up in England because he knows Archibald’s Firhill success will put him in the running. Oxford are the latest club to show interest in the highly-rated 39-year-old, as exclusively revealed by Record Sport yesterday. Swindon have also had a look and Archibald was also understood to be on the list of potential replacements at Aberdeen when Derek McInnes was weighing up a move to Sunderland. Osman is fearful of losing the man who, along with assistant Scott Paterson, has steered the Jags to the top six and their highest league finish in 26 years. He said: “It’s very worrying when the manager is linked with a move. “He’s one of the best I have played under. He’s very relaxed and is the kind of manager you want to play for. “His calmness around the place breeds confidence and you always know what he wants you to do. If he goes I don’t know what’s going to happen. “We’re praying he stays but when you’ve had success this comes with the territory. It’s kind of heart in your mouth whenever a job comes up down south. “What the team has achieved is down to the manager. He has recruited well as you can see in guys he’s brought in like Ryan Edwards and Adam Barton who have both done really well. “As a team we’re beyond just wanting to stay up now and that’s down to the gaffer and Scottie. All
considering a OXFORD UNITED are manager move for Partick Thistle Alan Archibald
praise goes to them. Their recruitment is very important and everyone who has come in has kicked on and fitted into the squad.
“In this day and age you can get players anywhere on a free who are good enough. If you recruit properly you should be all right.”
While Osman prays Archibald stays he was disappointed to see Liam Lindsay leave Maryhill yesterday, the 21-year-old defender completing his move to Barnsley after the clubs agreed a fee in the region of £350,000.
As captain he has watched the rookie grow into a player of serious potential, establishing himself as a first-team regular and weighing in with seven goals last season.
Osman reckons he’ll be a success in League One and said: “It’s going to be a big task to fill Liam’s shoes because he’s improved every year.
“When I came in he was just pushing to get into the first team and within a year he was playing regularly and has done well. It’s going to be hard to replace him but the management team know what they’re doing.
“Liam has all the attributes to do well in England. He’s big, strong, heads everything and can get you a goal which is important.
“Down south they love it if you are big and can head everything and he has that. On the ball he’s getting better all the time and with experience he’ll be a great player.” ABDUL OSMAN