Partick Thistle captain Brian Graham is relishing the chance to increase his already hectic dual schedule by firing the Jags into the Scottish Premiership play-off semi-finals.
Graham’s side host Airdrie in the quarter-final second leg on Friday night following a 2-2 draw in Lanarkshire.
Victory would set up a momentous week for the striker with two games against Raith Rovers coming in the midst of three matches for the Partick Thistle Women team he manages, against Scottish Women’s Premier League top three Celtic, Glasgow City and Rangers.
The 36-year-old’s ultimate aim is to extend his own season by another week and it is a case of the busier, the better.
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“To be honest, it’s not just this week, it’s every week with me and my lifestyle,” he said. “It’s intense and it’s busy and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“On a Saturday you play a game and on the Sunday you’ve got the girls, but I feel that’s part of my loosener because by the time Monday comes I have been on my feet all day Sunday doing the women’s team and it helps my recovery process.
“And it helps me being a manager while I’m playing as it helps build up my CV, because one day I am going to hang the boots up. I know that, but it’s not right now.
“I am getting the best of both worlds. I am in a very unique position but it’s one I relish and enjoy.”
The schedule has not impinged on Graham’s output. He has scored 24 goals and won the PFA Scotland Championship player of the year award as well as being shortlisted for the SWPL manager of the year prize.
The former Ross County and Dundee United striker is therefore confident that Thistle can finish off the job against Airdrie, having beaten the Diamonds 4-0 at Firhill last month.
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“I think taking a positive result from the away tie was crucial because you have seen all season how well Airdrie play at home with their passing and their movement, they are a really attractive football side,” he said.
“I’ll be really honest, I said before the game I will take a draw to bring them back here where we have been really good all season.
“If you’re the home side in the second leg and you have taken a positive result, you have got to see yourself as favourites.
“I’m not going to lie to you and say I don’t think that. I do think that. I believe in any game I go into we can win. I believe we can go into it and win the game and get to the semi-final
“Will Airdrie be thinking the same? Of course they will. That’s football. Both camps will be feeling they can get to the semi-final.
“But we are the home side and will have a great backing. It will be a great atmosphere and if we get off to a good start then hopefully we can drive it home.
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“I watched the game back when I got home the other night and it was mentioned that Airdrie had only beaten us once in the last 15 games (now 16).
“We have full belief that we can get to the next round and it’s one that us as players are relishing.”
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