Partick Thistle: Abdul Osman extends stay despite Inverness interest

Abdul Osman was wanted by Caley Thistle along with two Firhill team-mates

Captain Abdul Osman has signed a new two-year contract with Partick Thistle having rejected an approach from Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The new deal will keep the 29-year-old midfielder at Firhill until the end of the 2017/18 campaign.

Osman joined the Jags from Crewe Alexandra in summer 2014 and has made 74 appearances for Thistle to date.

Manager Alan Archibald said: "It will only help signing players and re-signing our players if he committed."

Caley Thistle manager John Hughes had revealed that he made offers to Osman and fellow Firhill midfielders Stuart Bannigan and Steven Lawless.

Hughes later complained about the difficulty of attracting players to the Highland club.

"It is not always about finance," said Archibald. "It is about being a good fit at the right club and we have seen that with Abdul.

"The grass isn't always greener, so hopefully other ones that we want to sign realise that.

"Abdul is a real leader on and off the pitch. We have made him captain this season and he has excelled in that role."

Osman, who hopes to go in for surgery on a knee complaint this week, is aiming to help the Glasgow club push for a top-half finish next season.

"I like being here, the club and the city," he said.

"There is a good group here, a good coaching staff and the manager is brilliant.

"I just have to keep getting better. We have to try to push for a top six, that is very realistic. It was close this year."