PARTICK Thistle captain Abdul Osman isn’t one to shy away from a challenge, especially when it comes from a midfielder in the Premiership.

And he has told his old pal Marvin Bartley that their friendship will be out the window when Thistle travel to Easter Road to take on Hibs in Saturday’s league opener.

Osman and Bartley go all the way back to their college footballing days, and then played together at Isthmian League outfit Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Bartley told reporters earlier in the week that he is relishing the prospect of going toe to toe with his old friend this weekend, and as you may expect, Osman has responded in kind.

“I know him well,” said the Thistle skipper. “I’ve known him since I was about 16 or 17. Obviously our careers have gone different ways.

“It will be good to see him. If he is saying he is ready for it then I am too! Bring it on, it’s going to be a good battle. Two giants in the middle of the park!

“I played with him and against him in our non-league games, we came through together.

“I played against him at college level, because we went to different colleges that were quite close together, so there was a bit of rivalry there.

“I’ve come up against him a few times, and we went away together to play for the English colleges as well. He was a centre-back in those days, so we’ll see how he does in midfield.”

Osman is keen to buck the trend of Thistle’s recent campaigns by starting well.

“We’ve got to start the season playing like we do in January, taking the game to teams on the front foot,” he said.