The heat is on.

Largs boss Sandy MacLean has admitted he feels under pressure after the club’s surprising slump to the foot of the Stagecoach First Division - but has vowed to carry on as Thistle attempt to battle their way out of trouble.

Largs face Kirktintilloch Rob Roy on Saturday at Barrfields Park in what is a huge match for Thistle, 2pm kick-off.

After the Kilsyth defeat, the ‘News’ understands that manager Sandy MacLean had a heart to heart with the club committee as Thistle attempt to address their poor start to the season where they have only collected two points out of an available 15. The manager has vowed to carry on but admits he is now under pressure.

Speaking to the ‘News’, Sandy said: “Yes - I feel pressure - I am in charge, it is my team and my tactics and training. If you win games of football, then you can argue your opinions, but if you lose, anybody who knows or watches football can then question you. Hands up - this is not where we envisaged to be at the start of the season. I said at the start of the season that we wanted to get into the winning habit through the league cup. Our display against Hurlford was the best display a Largs team has put in for quite a number of years, but since then, we have dried up.

“We need a reaction against Rob Roy on Saturday. We don’t want to be cut adrift - that is something we have to address quickly- and we couldn’t have a better game to do it. Our problem has been that we are not getting the ball in the back of the net. It was a shock defeat for us against Kilsyth - everyone knows what this league brings, everyone talks about the craziness of this league and we are at the burnt of it. All the clubs will be asking - what on earth is happening at Largs. Nobody can believe it, but we need to keep hanging in there, and fighting for everything.” Sandy said over the course of the season, Largs have dominated most of their games, even the first half against Maybole, but the lack of goals has been a clear problem.

Largs have been hit with an injury hammerblow as skipper Kevin Struthers, who is currently suspended, has been ruled out for six weeks after suffering a muscle tear. James Marks, who has been consistently one of the club’s best performers this season, has takeb the captain’s armband.

Striker Sean Pierce, who has only made three starts this season, returns for selection after he got married last weekend, while midfielder Sean Lawrence is also available after missing Kilsyth due to work commitments. Defender Alan Gilbride will be missing this weekend due to work commitments. Largs have drawn East of Scotland Superleague side Sauchie in the second round of the Scottish Cup on Saturday 25 October.

* Well done to Graeme Swanson from Edinburgh who wins the Thistle 200 Club for this month. He wins a £250 prize.