Fashion trends come and go but one thing that hasn’t changed is Partick Thistle’s record against Rangers. Given club captain Abdul Osman has released his own brand of clothing and apparel it was hardly surprising that talk turned to dedicated followers and all that. The last time Thistle beat Rangers, folk were turning up to Firhill in loin cloths. It’s not that long ago, of course, but 25 years is still quite a passage of time.
Osman knows all about time passing. The 30-year-old club captain missed the first half of the season with a niggling shoulder injury and is now playing catch up as he strives to bolster Thistle’s revival.
Tonight’s encounter with Rangers in Maryhill forms part of an Old Firm double header with Celtic looming on the horizon in the Scottish Cup at the weekend.
It’s been a frustrating period for Osman but amid the rehabilitation process, the Ghanaian got to work on one of his passions away from the pitch. His fashion line is emblazoned with the words ‘It’s Not Easy’, a pearl of wisdom his mother used to deliver to him to keep Osman working hard. The last few months have certainly not been easy but the defensive midfielder is keen to get going again as Thistle look to pull themselves away from the foot of the Ladbrokes Premiership.
He said: “My mum always told me to work hard in life in whatever you want to do, whether it’s football or anything else.
“When you are injured, you have a lot of free time on your hands when you are out for so long. You see Tomas Cerny reading books in the changing room but you think, ‘you know what, my passion is fashion so why not start something and see how it gets on’.
“It’s been going all right so far and I’ve been getting a lot of support, from guys like Paul Pogba.
“He was around when I was down in Manchester seeing Matias (Pogba's brother) and asking me about my stuff. He said he liked it so I asked me to send some things through.
“I gave him a hat and a t-shirt. I didn’t think he’d wear them to be honest but he stuck it up on social media. I knew it would go a long way and it really took off."
Informed of Thistle’s last win over Rangers coming in 1993, Osman responded with a simple “wow” before adding: “It’s a long time but we’ve been unlucky in a few games against them recently. Last season there was a couple of last minute goals, which were disappointing.
“It was close this year as well but we know they are a team we can beat. We’re going in to the game full of confidence.”
Thistle manager Alan Archibald is keen to break the Rangers duck. The visitors suffered a home defeat to Hibs at the weekend and Archibald knows his men will be facing a wounded animal keen to fight back.
He said: “We’ve ran them close a few time here especially in the last couple of seasons and not always got what we’ve deserved. We’d love to go one step further.
“You never know what you’re going to get especially after one of the Old Firm have lost a match. But we’ll be ready. We need to be at our very best but our home form has been good all season, so hopefully that’ll help us get a result.”
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