Partick Thistle skipper Abdul Osman hopes boss Alan Archibald will shrug off his latest suitor and seal his place in Jags' history.

The Firhill manager has been linked with a move to Oxford following U's boss Michael Appleton's decision to take up a coaching role at Leicester.

It is the third time in just nine months he has been tipped for jobs down south after earlier interest from Shewsbury and Swindon.

So far Archibald has rejected all offers but Osman confessed he is concerned someone will eventually produce a package too good to turn down.

However, the midfielder is keeping his fingers crossed Archibald will look at last season's top-six finish - the club's best top-flight result in 36 years - and be persuaded he still has work to do in Maryhill.

The Ghanaian told Press Association Sport: "The stories about Oxford are a big concern to be honest. Some of the lads mentioned it to the gaffer this morning and we had a little chuckle about it but at the end of the day we don't want him to go anywhere.

"He's done well and since I've been here we've been on a high. Every year we've progressed a little further.

"He's been linked with a few clubs now but every time his name has come up, he's decided to stay put.

"We're just hoping he stays here again this time. He's a legend at the club already but he could become a bigger legend if he stays on.

"If something big comes up you couldn't blame him for jumping ship but I feel we can progress even further under him because we have a young squad.

"As a manager he has done a lot here. Unless he takes us into that top three or Europe then he might feel there's nothing really left for him to do.

"But I still think we can do even better this season and maybe even finish third or fourth."