Partick midfielder Gary Fraser aiming high to make grandad proud
Partick midfielder Gary Fraser will take to the Firhill pitch against Kilmarnock on Saturday still coming to terms with the loss of a man who was "absolutely everything" to him.
The 21-year-old's grandad, John Muir, died in February and Fraser was so distraught he missed three Ladbrokes Premiership matches - one against Motherwell, and two against St Johnstone.
The former Hamilton player told Press Association Sport: "It was very difficult. It was the hardest time of my life, to be honest.
"My grandad was with me non-stop. He got me where I am today. It is a massive loss to me.
"He was absolutely everything to me, with me every step of the way.
"When I started playing football when I was seven years old, he took me everywhere and we done everything together and we went to football games together.
"He took me down the Glasgow Green and had me practising corners and free-kicks, so it is a massive loss.
"It is still hard and it always will be hard. His sister, Jean Docherty, passed away as well so that is two big losses to me.
"He was just so happy to see me playing in the Premiership. I want to go as high as I can in football and make him proud."
Fraser is hoping to help Thistle clinch a top-six spot, which he believes would be "a massive achievement" for Alan Archibald's side.
The Jags are in eighth place, behind Dundee only on goal difference and three points adrift of Ross County having played a game fewer than the Staggies, who Thistle visit in the final game before the split.
Before that, Archibald's men face home matches against second-bottom side Killie on Saturday and basement boys Dundee United three days later.
"We have a big game against Kilmarnock on Saturday and a big game against Dundee United next Tuesday," Fraser added.
"If we win those two games then we have Ross County the following week and that could be the decider.
"We have a good enough squad to be in the top six so hopefully we win those three games. I would rather have the nine points, but I think six would do it.
"There is the belief we can be top six. When we play at our best, I think we can beat anybody so hopefully we can beat Kilmarnock on Saturday and see where it takes us."
Archibald has two unnamed doubts for the game. In addition, defender Liam Lindsay is a question mark with a hamstring injury picked up before the previous game against Hamilton.
Stuart Bannigan's knee injury will keep him out long term with the midfielder waiting to see a specialist to ascertain the extent of the damage, but defender Freddie Frans returns following a family bereavement.
Meanwhile, Mark O'Hara believes Kilmarnock can capitalise on their improved fitness during their survival fight.
O'Hara feels fitter as a result of new manager Lee Clark's training regime and is confident they can translate that into results during the run-in.
Killie are five points adrift of guaranteed safety in the Ladbrokes Premiership ahead of Saturday's game at Firhill.
O'Hara said: "It's been a different experience so far. There has been a lot of fitness-based work and the times have been different.
"We have been working hard and it's been enjoyable. Hopefully we reap the rewards this weekend.
"I'm feeling a lot fitter than I was previously. The team as a whole, according to the training stats, everybody is so much fitter and fresher. Hopefully we can see that in the coming weeks.
"The manager said that, watching games at the start of the season, maybe the last 20 minutes we were tiring and struggling, but now we feel the last 20 minutes will be an opportunity for us."
Former Bournemouth defender Miles Addison and former Ipswich winger Alex Henshall could make their debuts after signing in midweek.
Craig Slater has shrugged off the illness that forced him out of the Scotland Under-21s team on Tuesday and Josh Magennis, who missed the defeat by Celtic with an ankle problem, has reported fit following Northern Ireland duty.
Defenders Steven Smith (hip), David Syme (fractured leg) and Mark Connolly (hip) and winger Chris Johnston (knee) are out for the season.
Source: PAR
