SCOTTISH CUP - I'LL TURN BACK CLOCK TO CHICO TIME

RISING Partick Thistle star Adam Strachan would love to be the new Chic Charnley of Firhill

The 19-year-old winger was sensational in midweek when Dick Campbell's Firhill side beat Inverness Caley on penalties to reach the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

Bigger clubs are monitoring the progress of Maryhill boy Strachan who has just signed a new two-year deal.

The cocky kid is relishing the prospect of a trip to Tynecastle on Saturday to face big-spending Hearts.

He's determined to cause another upset and send Graham Rix's men spinning out of the Cup.

Strachan admits his career could easily have gone off the rails like a few of his former Thistle team-mates.

But he has buckled down and now wants to follow in the footsteps of his idol Charnley who was revered at Firhill in his playing days.

Strachan said: "The Cup run means a lot to the boys here but perhaps more to me because I'm a local boy.

"I only live five minutes from the ground and talk to our fans every day.

"I just want to play well for them and this club - I used to jump over the wall to watch Thistle as a kid.

"Chic was my hero. I heard about him when I signed for the club and I got to train with him as a player/coach.

"The things he could do with a ball were unbelievable.

"He was in a different class and perhaps Thistle have lacked a folk hero since Chic left.

"Maybe I could replace him in the fans' eyes but that would depend on my performances, I'm only in the door.

"I love to play well and get the fans going. It's important to entertain.

"Sometimes I do it a bit too much by wanting to go past the next man then the next and the next.

"But it's how I've always played since I was a wee boy - doing flips and tricks.

"Thankfully my change in attitude has allowed me to get back into the side.

"I was acting wide and just carrying on. I was being cheeky to the wrong people.

"Now I have my head screwed on. I knew I had to knuckle down and work hard if I wanted to play.

"I've seen a couple of boys lose their way such as Gavin Rushford who looked a really good prospect.

"Manchester United were watching him at one time yet he has disappeared.

"Willie Howie's at Glenafton and Andy Gibson's at Stenhousemuir. They were on the brink of the first team like me.

"If I don't keep working, in five years people will wonder what happened to me."

Strachan's family may be Celtic fans but it's Thistle who are closest to his heart - that's why he had no hesitation in repaying their faith in him by extending his stay.

He loved the supporters' reaction after Wednesday night's stunning win.

And he believes Campbell's boys can shock the Jambos and make the semis.

Adam said: "Beating Caley showed me what it's all about. The fans were amazing.

"I've never seen them so excited and it was great the tie was live on TV.

"We have our reward by getting Hearts who are the second-best team in Scotland just now - it means a lot of money for the club.

"I signed a new deal because Thistle gave me my chance.

"There's so much tradition here - I got on well with John Lambie, he was to Thistle what Jock Stein was to Celtic.

"Hopefully I'll progress. But if we're not promoted perhaps another team will come for me.

"My family are mostly Celtic fans but because of me they always ask 'What's the Partick Thistle score?'

"Everyone wants to see the team doing well."

Taken from the Sunday Mail