Australian midfielder Ryan Edwards says he had no hesitation in joining Partick Thistle after taking advice from a former Rangers player – his Dad.

Edwards senior, Alistair, was a member of Graeme Souness’s light blues squad as a youth, but never made a first-team breakthrough.

Now Edwards junior is set on making his mark on Scottish football, and he hopes to emulate some other Aussies making their mark on our game and on the Australian international side.

“I’ve always had a connection with Scotland,” he said.

“My dad played here with Rangers and it’s nice to be following in his footsteps.

“He was at the club when he was 18 or 19, but never managed to make it to the first team.

“I’ve spoken to him a bit about Scottish football. I have played at Reading so know it will be similar to the Championship. It will be physical and high tempo.

“It’s exciting for me. If I get clearance and make my debut I will be able to say I played in the Scottish Premiership.

“I’ll have one over my dad!

“My grandparents are from Scotland and I’ve got family in Fort William and Glasgow.

“My dad moved to Singapore to play and that’s where he met my mum. I happened to be born there so there’s a bit of a mix.

“I don’t have a Scottish passport though - I’m Australian through and through!

“There are a lot of Australians in the league and I am happy to be here now as well. I spoke to Jackson Irvine at Ross County. He’s in the under-23 squad with me at the moment and we are quite close.

“I know Tom Rogic well at Celtic and Adam Taggart has just joined Dundee United.

“It’s nice to have those connections in Scotland.

“Jackson was over the moon for me. I was up at Ross County watching the game last weekend. He is captain up there and done really well.

“He’s just been called up for the senior national team. That’s a real positive as it shows if you do well in the Premiership there’s a chance of being called up.

“The manager has said no matter where you are, as long as you are playing first team games and in good form then you will be in the frame for selection.

“Jackson and Tom Rogic have shown that and it gives me a lift.

“If I do well for Partick Thistle then you never know what could happen.”

In the short-term, the Firhill faithful will be hoping that Edwards can help kickstart the Jags’ miserable start to the season.

Scoring goals has been the major problem, with just two in eight games so far, and he hopes to be able to remedy that straight away.

“I am a midfielder so I’m hoping to create and score a few goals myself,” he said.

“I spoke to the manager when I came in and he wants me to play no.10 behind the striker or out wide.

“Those are positions that add goals and creativity to the team and that’s what I want to do.

“I’ve been following Thistle closely since I heard about the interest. They were unlucky against Dundee. They hit the woodwork three times so they are not far off.

“I am sure the goals will come.

“Training has been very good, the chances are there in the games but we just need a bit of luck. Once we get that first win the momentum will get us off the bottom of the table.”