Jags step in after young Gary loses biggest fan

PARTICK Thistle pride themselves on their family ethos, and when a member of that family suffers in their personal life, it is the immediate reaction of all at the club to rally around them.

At a time when midfielder Gary Fraser has needed the support of his club most, they have not been found wanting.

Fraser lost his “best pal” when his grandad John Muir passed away recently, a man who was the central figure behind Fraser’s ascent to the ranks of professional football.

His loss has been felt keenly by the 22-year-old, but the pain has been eased by the sure knowledge that his manager, and his club as a whole, are standing behind him.

“I’ve had some bad luck, I’ve had injuries all year then my grandad passed away last month,” said Fraser.

“It’s been hard but the club have been absolutely outstanding. They couldn’t have done more and hopefully I can repay them on the pitch.

“If it wasn’t for my grandad I wouldn’t be where I am today. Getting up on a Saturday and Sunday morning he’d take me to football. He’d take me down Glasgow Green to practise corners and free-kicks.

“He’d be here every game, even when I was injured on the bench or not in the squad. He’d be there supporting the team and me. He was a massive influence.

“I was very lucky to have him and I appreciate what he did for me. I’m finding it hard after games because he used to tell me what I did right and what I did wrong. He told me the truth and that’s what I needed.

“When he died it was just hard to take. I remember everything he told me, and now before games I think of everything he’d tell me.

If Thistle are to maintain their dreams of a top-six finish, they will have to be wary of Fraser’s close friend and former team-mate Kallum Higginbotham, who returns to Firhill with Kilmarnock today.

But Fraser says his friendship with the Killie attacker will be placed firmly on hold until the final whistle goes.

“I talk to him a lot but we don’t talk about games, I just text to see how he is,” he said.

“I was close to him and he’s a good guy, but I’m not worried about him on Saturday, it’s about us.

“As soon as you cross that white line no-one is your pal apart from your team-mates. It will be a battle and hopefully we can win that battle.”

Higginbotham is sure to receive a tasty welcome from the Firhill faithful after leaving the club last summer, but Fraser doesn’t think that will affect him.

“That’s football,” he said. “If you go through your career worrying about fans you’ll get nowhere.

“Everyone has a different opinion. On the pitch you just need to be fully focused on winning.