BEN RICHARDS-EVERTON hopes his loan stint in League One will help him become a Premiership star for Partick Thistle.

 

The defender clinched a deal with the Jags in the summer following his departure from Tamworth, and was immediately farmed out to Airdrieonians to gain first-team experience.

After returning to Firhill last month, as Thistle kid Liam Lindsay went in the opposite direction and joined the Diamonds, the 22-year-old was named on the bench for the Premiership clash with St Mirren.

Now Richards-Everton has set his sights on a top-team breakthrough before the end of the campaign as he looks to impress boss Alan Archibald.

He said: "It was really good being out on loan. I learned a lot there, played a lot of games and got a bit of experience, so it worked out well. I enjoyed it. I didn't want to be sitting on the bench, I wanted to be playing and the loan move gave me a chance to do that and get used to Scottish football.

"I was playing some good teams last year at Tamworth, the likes of Luton, Wrexham, Barnet, they are good Football League clubs. It was different coming here because League One is a physical league and, football wise, it is probably better than the Conference. It was good to get games.

"I am ready for the test of playing in the Premiership. I am working hard in training and I want to prove that I am ready to play.

"I was on the bench recently, so that was another step for me. I need to wait for my chance and show everyone what I can do."

Having made 18 appearances for Gary Bollan's side in the third tier, Richards-Everton has returned to Thistle ready and raring to go as he looks to make his mark at Firhill.

He will have to compete with Dan Seaborne, Conrad Balatoni and Frederic Frans for a starting berth as the Jags look to end what has been a frustrating season so far on a high.

And the stopper insists he is up for the fight as he looks to force his way into the starting line-up in the coming weeks.

Richards-Everton said: "I am happy to be back at Thistle and, while I know it will be hard to get in the squad, I have got to work hard and prove that I can play here.

"Dan has done really well this season, Freddie has come in and Conrad has been here for a while. They are all good players so it is hard to get in the team, but I am ready for the challenge."

If Richards-Everton can realise his dream and make his first-team bow this term it would cap a remarkable rise for the 22-year-old.

He turned out for Romulus, Cradley Town and Hinckley United in the lower reaches of the English game before heading to Tamworth and clinching a summer switch to Firhill.

And he reckons the advice of boss Archibald and assistant Scott Paterson will help him flourish and make his big break in the top flight.

Richards-Everton said: "Anything can happen in that position, you pick up suspensions and injuries so you always need to be ready to come in and play. The gaffer and Scott have been great with me and have really helped me.

"They were both defenders, so that has been good for me. I get on really well with them. They help me out in training so hopefully I will get a chance to show what I can do in a game. I want to help the team finish as high as possible."