THERE are superstitions throughout world football which are honoured in the hope they may bring a team good luck.

For some, it can be as simple as being the last out of the dressing room, tying their laces a certain way or listening to their favourite tune on an over-sized pair of headphones before limbering up.

Others have been known to go for the out of the ordinary. Laurent Blanc famously kissed the bald bonce of French 'keeper Fabian Barthez before every game on the road to winning the World Cup in 1998, while AC Milan legend Filippo Inzaghi would always munch into a box of kids' biscuits only to leave two in the packet.

In the case of Partick Thistle midfielder Abdul Osman's pursuit of success, it seems all he needs to do is place a captain's armband over his sleeve.

The Ghanaian-born ace has stepped up in the place of long-term absentee Sean Welsh to skipper the Jags 10 times this season, with the Firhill club winning six and drawing one of them.

It is a statistic which will please Thistle supporters given the 28-year-old only last week signed up for another year in Maryhill.

"It's a good stat and it's something I'm proud of," said the former Watford trainee. "Since I have been given the captain's armband I've enjoyed it loads.

"I was the captain of Crewe for an entire season so it's not as though it's new to me.

"I've had a decent success rate and I don't know about being a natural-born leader but that's how it looks. Every time I play I try to lead, it's easy in my position as you can see everything.

"The manager has obviously seen something in me and I'm very proud that he's allowed me to be skipper for those 10 games.

"It's about trying to encourage the rest of the players, I also try to lead by example but winning games is what matters as it gets everyone's head up.

"I talk to team-mates, I'm not one of the players who likes to shout but I give my advice in my own way. If there's a vacancy for the captain's role then I'd love to take it as I feel I am getting better at it."

It is difficult to disagree. With Osman at the heart of their midfield, Thistle have looked a much stronger unit this season after consolidating their place in the Premiership last campaign.

Despite being pipped to seventh place by Hamilton Accies this time round, the Jags are actually locked on the same points as sixth-placed Dundee.

With improvement comes increased expectation and Osman is no different from anyone else.

The former Gretna man is ambitious in his hopes for next season and sees no reason why Thistle cannot soon be challenging for a European spot given what Inverness have achieved this season.

"Every year you look to do better, next season we want to target a top-six spot and if we can push for Europe it would be a bonus," said Osman. "Top six should be realistic.

"We aren't far away as we have the players, we play good football and all that's lacking is the consistency. We know we can beat the likes of Inverness and St Johnstone on any given day. It's about progressing and next season you will see a different side."

He added: "There is great potential at this club and I believe it's the start of something special. If we can keep the core of the squad and not lose too many players then next season we can do better than last season.

"People definitely treat us as a more credible side and a bigger threat as we have earned that respect and we will earn further respect next season."