GARY FRASER admits he is already looking forward to the new season - because Partick Thistle haven't seen the best of him this term.

The midfielder has made 24 appearances for Alan Archibald's side during another encouraging campaign for the Jags, and his performances have seen him nominated for the McCrea Financial Services Young Player of the Year prize at Firhill.

But that is not enough to satisfy the 20-year-old after he burst on to the scene and became a key part of the Thistle team last time out.

The form of influential pair Stuart Bannigan and Abdul Osman have made it tough for Fraser to make his mark, but he is determined to end on a high note.

Fraser said: "I was glad to get back on the pitch against Hamilton last weekend because I have not played a lot recently. Hopefully I can get into the team before the end of the season. All I can do is make sure that I am ready.

"It is hard to get into a winning side. You always want the team to win, but it is frustrating when you are not playing. I want to be playing every week, but you will get spells like this in your career and it is about how you deal with it.

"My main aim is next season now. If I can play in the next couple of weeks, great. I am looking forward to next season, though. I started off well this season, but then I got injured and I have been in and out.

"I think I have under-achieved, and I know I can do much better. Hopefully I can get my chance and show how I can play. I am looking forward to it and I will work as hard as I can."

After securing their Premiership status for a third straight season with victory over St Mirren a fortnight ago, Thistle will look to sign off at Firhill with another win over Kilmarnock tomorrow afternoon.

The Jags have improved on their tenth place finish last time out, but Fraser knows it could have been even better this term.

He said: "We would have taken eighth place at the start of the season, but we know we could be higher up the table. I feel we are as good as the teams above us. Eighth is good, but it could have been better.

"If we had been on this run earlier, things could have been different, but that is football. You can't dwell on it. We are doing well just now and we are safe again, so that is the main thing."

While Thistle don't need to worry about the battle to beat the drop, their opponents in the final two matches this season have everything to play for.

Killie make the trip to Firhill tomorrow before Archibald's side end their campaign against Motherwell next weekend.

The Jags have taken 10 points from their last four Premiership fixtures and Fraser is determined to finish with a flourish. He said: "The boys have done well over the last few weeks, so hopefully we can continue that against Kilmarnock.

"You need to keep going right to the end of the season. There is no point taking your foot off the gas because you won't get anywhere doing that.

"Hopefully we can keep doing well and win the last two games. As individuals we need to make sure we are at it all the time.

"The gaffer and his No.2 Scott Paterson want us to keep going and to keep performing, and we are going out to win the last two games."