RYAN STEVENSON insists there will be no plastic fear factor next season after his horror injury on Hamilton’s synthetic surface.

The striker was crocked during Partick Thistle’s goalless draw with Accies at New Douglas Park just three weeks before the end of the campaign.

Stevenson had to go under the knife to repair the damage on a knee and has spent his summer break on the comeback trail as he looks to return to full fitness.

Alan Archibald’s side will begin their Ladbrokes Premiership campaign away to Hamilton on August 1, and the 30-year-old is eager to play his part if he can.

Stevenson said: “The injury could have happened on grass. Everyone has got their own opinion on [plastic pitches]. For revenue and what it brings for clubs, it is a massive factor.

“Some players like playing on it and some players don’t. I don’t. I would rather play on grass. I have grown up playing on grass and, for me, football should be played on grass.

“I know in England they have a 70/30 split and it keeps the pitches in good nick. I think for a top league to be playing on Astroturf, it is not my favourite and I wouldn’t be my ideal choice.

“I don’t think any player would [ask not to play]. We have got Hamilton on the first day of the season and if I am fit I want to play. It could have happened on grass.

“I wouldn’t blame my injury on Hamilton’s pitch. That would be disrespectful and it is a good pitch. When they are watered, they are fine. My personal preference is playing on grass. If it was ash, I would want to play.”

While his Firhill team-mates have been relaxing over the summer shutdown, Stevenson has had a hectic few weeks as he has undertaken a rehabilitation schedule to get back fighting fit.

The forward also became a dad for the second time after baby Brady was born last month.

And Stevo is determined to get off to a flying start as he bids to fire the Jags to Premiership success next season.

He said: “When you get to 30, the big thing is that you hit the ground running. When I get back, I have got to chase the 18, 19-year-olds about. They can go to Magaluf, I can’t!

“They are getting fitter, getting stronger and getting better, and that can only be good for Scottish football if you have young lads getting a chance and developing their game.

“I feel good and I am ready to go. Once everything clears up I will be good to go, and hopefully I can hit the ground running.

“I want to have a successful year for Thistle and help push them up the league. In hindsight, it was a good season last year, so hopefully we can do even better than this season.”

After kicking off the campaign with a trip to New Douglas Park, Thistle will also face Celtic, Inverness, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen in a tough start to the season.

It is the clash with Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday, August 22, that Stevenson is looking forward to most, though, as he returns to his former club for the first time as a Jag.

He said: “It will be good to go back and see some of the friends I made over a lot of years.

“It is a great club and what they have done this summer, selling 14,000 season tickets, speaks volumes for the club.

“It was the first fixture I looked out for when they were released.”