TOMAS CERNY is out to grasp first-team football with both hands now he has signed on at Partick Thistle.

The former Hamilton keeper put pen-to-paper on a one-year deal with the Jags yesterday, ending a short spell at Championship side Hibernian.

It was a frustrating spell for the Czech goalie at Easter Road. After returning to Scotland following a tumultuous six months in Greece, Cerny was keen to get some game time to help rekindle his career.

However, he failed to make one appearance for Alan Stubbs' team as on-loan Hull shot stopper Mark Oxley cemented his place at the Hibees' first choice.

Now Cerny has landed a deal at Thistle, he will be up against player/coach Paul Gallacher and Ryan Scully who has returned from a loan spell with Dunfermline.

There will be no shortage of competition for the No.1 spot, but he is keen to show he is more than equipped in filling the gloves of Scott Fox and prove he's the real deal for the Jags.

He said: "It's great to have the opportunity to come to Partick and play in the Premiership again. My main aim is to be no.1 and play every week.

"I wouldn't say I was frustrated at Hibs. I knew when I went there in January there was already an established goalkeeper there.

"I knew it was a possibility I wouldn't get in the team but it was a chance to get back to Scotland and back to training.

"I had a good experience there."

Hailing from the Czech Republic, it doesn't stop the goalkeeper speak of his love for Scotland and Scottish football. The Lanarkshire twang in his voice certainly helps.

Along with his wife Laura and three-month-old son Luca, the prospect of settling back down here was too good an opportunity to turn down.

And Cerny insists he is here for what he hopes is a long haul.

He said: "I feel I have two homes - the Czech Republic and Scotland. I married a Scottish girl and my son, Luca, was born here.

"If he goes on to play football he has three options as his grandfather was born in Germany. I am not sure if he will be a footballer - he is only three months! As long as he is happy I will be happy.

"It's great to be settled back here again and I am looking forward to next season with Partick.

"I don't make any predictions but this is a good club in the Premiership. You always want to improve on last year so that will be the initial aim and we will see where we go from there."

Thistle manager Alan Archibald's recruitment drive continues at pace with the acquisition of Cerny, but he was just one of three deals to be unveiled by the Maryhill club yesterday.

Jack Hendry, who made his first team debut in the goalless draw with Motherwell on the final day of the Premiership season, and David Wilson; who made his first start in the same fixture, have also both signed new one-year contracts.

The news comes less than a week after striker Steven Lawless pledged his future to the Jags with a new 12-year extension to his current contract.