Thistle face 'Mighty' challenge!

Largs host Beith in the McBookie.com Premier League in one of their biggest tests of the season so far, 1.45pm kick-off.

Thistle have won four out of their last six games, and finally moved off bottom spot with a robust victory at Kilwinning on Saturday.

Looking towards the challenge, Arnie said: "It doesn't get any harder than the Scottish Cup champions and their manager Johnny Millar has built a fantastic squad - we are under no illusions over how tough it is going to be, but if the boys stand up to it and show the same determination and attitude as on Saturday, then we have a chance."

Full-back Iain Fisher won't be back from holiday, but forwards Kevin Struthers, and Alec McWatters, who had a groin injury, should be back in contention. The Thistle boss has made a triple signing this week with John Tennent joining from Morton, and Jay Little and Matthew Ashe signing dual contracts with Thistle U19s.

Reflecting on the Buffs victory, Arnie said: "We knew Kilwinning would be a hard place to go as they have terrific players going forward, but our defence, midfield, and strikers were terrific, and put in some shift, not forgetting Sean Graham who made some really important saves. In the first half, we got a bit lucky, but from thereon we pushed and we were good going forward and kept a clean sheet which showed great resilience.

"The defence needs to be on top as they were on Saturday, if not better, as from midfield to the front Beith have really good attacking players, and are very dangerous."

Thistle face Beith, Rob Roy, and Glenafton over the coming weeks - all teams who could be vying for the league, but Arnie said: "There is not a change in mindset from our own point of view going into these games. Will they finish in the top six? I don't know - as there are still plenty of tough games to go - sometimes it is tougher against teams at the bottom end of the league.

"We need to keep showing the same work-rate and desire, and it is important that we take our chances as you never know how many opportunities you are going to get. The supporters can be a twelfth man for us on Saturday - the fans have been tremendous throughout the season. Although one or two were disgruntled, most of the support have been backing us through thick and thin, and even after the bad results, we have received messages of encouragement. The support has been fantastic and hopefully we can give them something to cheer about at home.

"It is up to us now to get points on the table, as teams around us have games in hand, and it is important we get a right good few points out of the next few games, as there are four or five teams capable of coming out of the relegation zone.

"Our main aim is to continue moving up the table."

Beith manager Johnny Miller has his sights firmly set on Saturday's league encounter at Largs.

He said: A lot of outsiders don’t seem to realise just how cut-throat the Super Premier is this season with every top-flight team capable of taking points off each other.

“Saturday is a case in point because I might be happy with how we are playing but that doesn’t translate into feeling confident of picking up three points when you consider Largs are one of the form sides and have clearly turned the corner by winning four of their last six league games.

“What is pleasing from Beith’s perspective is the likelihood of our game getting the thumbs-up on their astro-grass surface when bad weather elsewhere is forecast to cause a rash of postponements.

“Playing catch-up is never ideal and it would be good to make inroads but only if we can put points on the board at the same time, yet that’s easier said than done.”

Beith are in relatively good shape for the test against their near neighbours after the absences of David McGowan, Nikky Docherty and Thomas Collins compelled Millar to rotate his squad for last weekend’s 3-1 victory over Troon.

One time Hurlford United midfielder Calum Watt was introduced and netted a brace to stake a claim for a more regular starting jersey as did prolific hit-man Kenny McLean with a scoring appearance off the substitutes’ bench.

Millar said: “The other substitutes to get game time were Kevin McDonald and Joe Bradley so we’re certainly not lacking for strength in depth even if it gives me a bigger headache to have so many options.

“It didn’t get any easier this week after I thought the guys looked rusty in the early stages against Troon and arranged to play Darvel in a friendly match to give everyone some game time, because we ran out 6-1 winners with Collins helping himself to a hat-trick.

“The only downside is a hamstring strain injury that Mark McLaughlin picked up in the Troon game and we’re hopeful of him being passed fit for Largs; however we won’t gamble on his fitness given the Scottish Junior Cup tie with Auchinleck Talbot is only another week away.”

Millar refuses to talk up his side’s title hopes even though Beith are regarded as one of the leading contenders.

“In my mind ,we need to beat Largs and also turn our games in hand into points before I would be in any position to talk about league titles,” he said.

“Right now I’d say Glenafton are on a terrific winning run and looking very strong and powerful so they are going to take a bit of stopping while Auchinleck are always likely to catch fire and you would have to say Rob Roy are best placed of all in having the points on the board.

“Any of these teams could finish in top spot and I also have a feeling that everyone should be wary of Pollok coming up on the rails.”