Abdul Osman is not a man to be intimidated by reputations on the field, particularly when he feels that they supersede the level of talent the opposing player in question possesses.

That’s why the Partick Thistle captain is relishing the chance to lock horns with the likes of Joey Barton next season.

Don’t get Osman wrong, he admires Barton as a player, but he is unperturbed by the fuss that the outspoken Rangers midfielder has already caused before he sets foot on a pitch north of the border.

The Thistle skipper is delighted to have a high profile name like Barton plying his trade here though, and he feels that his side are up for the tougher challenge that next season’s top division has in store.

“I’ve never played against him, I’ve just seen him play,” said Osman. “It’s a challenge I’m looking forward to. It’s not like it’s [Juan Sebastian] Veron is it?

“He’s just another player – a good player, a challenge.

“People like him coming lifts the league. The first year I played in the SPL all the big teams were in it and it made a massive difference.

“Every game was really tough and it was more competitive. With Rangers back in it and making big signings and obviously Celtic bringing in a good manager like Brendan Rodgers, it will make the league stronger.

“It’s good to be in that environment. You want to test yourself and in most games you’ll be testing yourself against good players and that will only improve you as a player.

‘”It will be tougher for us. But at the end of the day, we’re good enough. I’m quite confident in the team.

“Standards will have to be raised at every team this year. But we’ve made some decent signings and have managed to keep most of our stronger players. It’s another year where we can go for it in the league.”

If Thistle are to make strides in what Osman views as the more competitive environment of the Premiership next season, then he says it is vital they learn the lessons from the last campaign.

The poor start the Jags suffered last season is well documented, but Osman was frustrated throughout the year as his side unnecessarily shipped points after putting in decent performances.

“I think last year some of the points we dropped really cost us but I think we still could have made the top-six,” he said. “With a bit more luck this season I think we’ll be all right.

“Last year we regretted a lot of things and this year we have to try and put that right. With new players on board, we should get there.

“Scoring the first goal in this league is really important. We’ve got to stop conceding first. If you score first and have confidence normally you go on and win the games. So conceding early is one thing we’ve got to cut down on.”

Thistle are currently in England on a pre-season training trip, and Osman is loving being back among his teammates after committing his future to the club.

He said: “It feels good to be back and to meet up with the boys again. Training’s been going well and we’re all looking forward to the new season.

“I always wanted to stay here to be honest with you. There was just finance and all that stuff but that got sorted and I’m happy to be here."