PARTICK THISTLE have registered their interest in Morton striker Peter Weatherson, whose contract expires in the summer.

The striker has been at Cappielow since 2003 and his consistency levels have attracted the interest of Ian McCall, the Firhill manager.

Weatherson is free to talk to other clubs and is clearly keen to keep his options open before deciding where his future lies.

However, James Grady, the Morton manager, is a strong admirer of the striker and is keen to keep him at the club as he aims to build for next season.

"Peter is running out of contract, he wants to weigh up his options and Ian McCall is interested," said Grady. "He has six months to go and it is Peter's prerogative to hold off.

"He knows what we can offer. He has got our offer on board already. He wants to take his time and make the right decision.

"It would be amiss if a player didn't look at all the options available to them in terms of being able to better themselves in a football sense and financially.

"As I said, we have made him an offer and we are in contact with Peter on a daily basis. We definitely want to keep him and he is a major part of our plans.

"Nine players out of ten hang on now when they are in Peter's situation and they know other clubs are interested." Weatherson has been in good form this season and has hit the net on nine occasions.

Grady insisted he has no fears that the English striker might lose his focus as he enters the final six months of his contract.

"I have no question marks over Peter's integrity," he added. "He wouldn't sign anything without letting me know.

"I wouldn't envisage him dropping his standards. The way I also look at it is if there is interest in your player then it means you have a good player on your hands.

Grady is actively seeking to augment his squad in this month's transfer window and is currently in discussion with a number of targets.

One of the names on his wanted list is Jonatan Johannson, the former Rangers and Hibs forward. The Finnish striker is a free agent again after his short-term deal at St Johnstone came to an end.

"He's got a pedigree," added Grady. "He was playing SPL football this season and I spoke to Derek McInnes about him. In terms of how close we are getting, it could be a week or two, or it might not happen.

"But I have spoken to him and remain hopeful. We are working hard on a few things, but we are not close enough on them to say they are definitely going to happen.

"I have spoken to players over the past few months, but it is either down to players or their clubs."