Like almost every other Black footballer plying his trade in Europe and America, Abdul Osman has suffered racist abuse in England and Greece.
The 29-year-old box-to-box midfielder was subjected to racial upbraid during spells with Kerkyra in Greece and at Northampton in the English lower-tier.
But the principled footballer rose through the ranks and defied the stinking acts of pitch racism and nepotism to become captain of Scottish Premiership side Partick Thistle.
Maintaining high professional standards and demonstrating admirable leadership qualities has put him on high pedestal, steering Thistle through think and thin of Premiership survival.
The Accra-born reckons he suffered racism at the early stages of his career but did not allow the unfortunate sides of racism take a half of his career as he rise to command respect from the rank and file in his captaincy role.
"I did [suffer racist abuse in] England and Greece. It happens I guess that's just society but as a football player you have to get on with it because you can't let it affect you on pitch."
The former Crewe Alexandra midfielder is in surreal mood as he talks about his role as a captain at Thistle, linking the past with the present and the complete turn of the tables. He insists there is absolutely no extra pressure at all.
"No not at all. It's an honour and I'm very happy that Crewe and Partick have seen something in me to give me the captain armband. I love the fact that the coach sees me as a leader, nothing has really changed because we have a lot of leaders in the team I just try to lead by example around the place and encourage the young boys and set example on the pitch."
"We always believed we were going to climb up the league, it was just a very bad start. Every team has a blip in a season and we were glad ours was early so we had time to correct the problems before it got too late."
In the last encounter of the season, Thistle were frustrated to a 2-all draw by visiting Hamilton Academica. Though the Jags surrendered two valuable points in the game, there were still positives for Osman who recently put his signature under extension contract at the Firhill Stadium.
"The game was actually good to watch because both teams was playing with no real pressure which is also good sometimes because you can relax more and enjoy."
Despite interest from a number of clubs across England, Scotland and abroad, Osman has taken a decision to commit his future to Thistle for two more years but admits he has dreams of playing in England once again but this time in the Premier League.
"Since I've been here it's just been great I've achieved a lot and there's been progress. I love living in Glasgow I like the ideas of the manager and also enjoy playing for this club. I'm also captain and I love the role so there is no point leaving when your happy and things are good."
"Its always boys dream to play in the Premier League and I'm working towards. And I know it's not beyond. I can really go for it."
Check Osman's league statistics and you get the idea he does not add goals to his game. In 22214 minutes (267 games) he has managed to score only 10 goals. This he explains stems from the limitations of his role on the pitch.
"I think because early in my career I was a number 8 which gave me the freedom to be box to box and I scored few goal but now as I'm a sitting midfielder so it's more difficult to get into the box. But I guess I should be scoring more though."
His mind switches to Greece where he spent an entire season in the Super League, playing for Kerkyra and making over 30 appearances. He explains the financial situation in Greece forced him to leave though he signed a three-year-contract at the club and reveals Malaga manager Javi Gracia is the best manager he has worked under.
"Well I loved the football in Greece, I think I learned more about football playing out there the coach was Spanish and I think he's Malaga manager now. He is probably the best manager I've worked under. I signed 3 years contract but obviously the financial situation in Greece is well known to be a bit of a problem so I had to leave as I have a family."
Born and bred in Accra but lived in Kumasi as well. Osman has fond memories of playing non-league football in Ghana before leaving for the United Kingdom.
"When I was in Ghana I played a lot of football in my town with friends and I was always one of the best in my town so when I came to London I continued playing through college and had lots of trials Watford and Gretna. I signed with Gretna when I was 21 and that was when it all started as a pro."
By El Akyereko
Follow the writer on Twitter: @AkyerekOfficial