PARTICK THISTLE youngster Andy McCarthy says that teammate Abdul Osman is a huge influence on him, and that any criticism of the Firhill skipper from fans is unfair.

The young midfielder came into the starting line-up alongside Osman in Saturday’s narrow loss to Kilmarnock, and enjoyed the experience despite the result.

And he insists that it is important that everyone at the club sticks together as they look to haul themselves off the bottom of the table.

“Abs is the captain and he’s been influential for a number of years for Thistle,” McCarthy said.

“It’s not as if he’s changed, he’s still a brilliant player and he’s helped me a lot.

“If he’s getting criticism then it would probably be unfair, and it’s not as if he isn’t trying, all of the boys are trying their hardest.

“Abs has been really good for us over the last few years and I’m sure that he’ll keep being good for us.

“Everybody wants to do well for the club. In every game I play in I want to do well, and all the boys do. We don’t want to be in this situation, but I know for a fact that every one of the boys is giving it their all.

“That’s what we expect from each other.”

McCarthy has no qualms about being dropped into the heat of the battle for survival.

“I thought I did alright on Saturday, although I could have been better at things like switching play, which Scotty Paterson has already been on at me about,” he said.

“I hope I can help us get out of this situation.”