PARTICK THISTLE fans would have known little of Aaron Sinclair when he leaped up the divisions to sign on at Firhill a year ago.
After a dream season in red and yellow, the Jags star is now one of the hottest talents in the Scottish Football League but Sinclair insists he still has a point to prove and a debt of gratitude to repay in the months ahead.
The left-back was perhaps boss Jackie McNamara's best buy last summer as he made the jump from Irn-Bru Third Division side Montrose to become an instant hit in red and yellow.
A series of superb showings saw him linked with a January move to the npower Championship but the youngster insists he still has unfinished business in Glasgow ahead of his second season with Thistle.
The 21-year-old said: "I have not heard anything about a summer move. I am just focused on Thistle.
"I have dealt with interest in me before when I was with Montrose and then last season with Thistle.
"Until something happens or someone tells me otherwise, I am just concentrating on Thistle and looking forward to the new season.
"It is good to know that people are watching you because that means that you are doing well.
"Hopefully I can keep improving and do even better this year and help the team. I have signed a contract for another two years.
"The gaffer has really helped me on and off the field, as he has with all the boys. I feel like I owe him something so hopefully I can repay his faith in me this season."
Having seen Sinclair handle the jump in class from our bottom tier with ease, McNamara has returned to the Third Division once again this summer.
Aaron Muirhead has penned a two-year deal with the Jags after another impressive season with Annan Athletic and Sinclair is confident his fellow defender can follow in his footsteps on the road to the Firhill first team.
He said: "I spoke with a few of the boys when I heard Aaron was signing and said that he would be a good addition to the squad.
"He was a tough opponent for me in the Third Division so I am looking forward to playing alongside him this year.
"I will have a chat with him if he is wanting any pointers or advice. I think he is certainly good enough to make the step up to the First Division.
"Last season, a few of the boys were ahead of me but once I got up to speed I was able to perform better. I am sure that will be the same with Aaron but he has the quality to do well for us."
Muirhead joined fellow new arrivals Hugh Murray, Steven Lawless and Sean Welsh as Thistle returned to training last week ahead of the big kick-off.
McNamara will put his squad through their paces at Catterick Garrison Army barracks over the coming days and Sinclair is already raring to go ahead of the new campaign.
He\ said:\ "It\ was\ disappointing\ not\ to\ be\ able\ to\ finish\ the\ season\ \due\ to\ ankle\ injury\]\ but\ there\ was\ nothing\ I\ could\ do\ about\ it.\
"It has all healed well and I am not in any pain or anything like that.
"Last year, the gaffer signed me after the first week and then went down to Catterick. It was a good experience, apart from having to sleep in the bunk beds!
"The gaffer will decide who is in a room with each other."