ROBBIE MUIRHEAD hopes a switch to Partick Thistle can kick-start his career after clinching a deadline day transfer to Firhill.

The forward was on the move in the final hours of the January transfer window as he joined Dundee United from Kilmarnock in a £150,000 deal.

After struggling to make the breakthrough into Jackie McNamara’s plans this term, the 19-year-old has now upped sticks once again and signed for the Jags until the New Year.

Muirhead adds a touch of creativity to a misfiring Thistle forward line and the Scotland youth international is pleased to have a shot at first team glory once again.

He said: “I was sitting in a coffee shop on Monday and got a call from my agent saying that the gaffer wanted to put me out on loan until January.

“It was so that I am playing regularly and playing first team football rather than playing the odd half an hour here or there or playing Under-20 football.

“All I want to do is play football at the highest level I possibly can so I was happy to get that opportunity.

“I thought if I was to bide my time I could play, but obviously the gaffer thinks differently.

“I came on against Motherwell and Dundee United and started against Celtic and that are the only three games I have been involved in.

“The way I finished last season, I thought I would be pushing to start a couple more games.

“That is what you want to do. There is no point in you training all week if you are not going to play at the end of it.”

Having emerged through the ranks at Kilmarnock, Muirhead now has a chance to make his mark at Firhill after signing up with Archibald’s side on a temporary deal.

He been allowed to head for the Tannadice exit door on a short-term basis as Arabs boss McNamara has re-shaped his squad after a slow start to the season.

The forward has represented Scotland at several youth levels and is determined to impress on his return to Tayside next year.

Muirhead said: “I feel like I have been around for years as well! That is one of the things the gaffer has said to me, that I have got loads of time on my side because I am still only 19. I have been about for three or four years now.

“The gaffer sees me as a long-term rather than a short-term fix. It is good that I have still got another two years on my contract when I go back in January so I have got time to develop as a player.

“When I go back, hopefully I can push for a place and play week in week out.”

Muirhead could make his Jags debut against Dundee on September 12 at Firhill as Archibald’s side look to finally get their first win this term.

A lack of firepower has cost Thistle so far this season as they have collected just three points from their first six Premiership outings.

And Muirhead is determined to play his part in the final third after signing on the dotted line at Firhill.

He said: “I am here to do the best I can and hopefully I can put in a couple of goals for Thistle and help the team get some points. That is what I am here to do.”