Thistle assistant boss ‘Arnie’ has praised his players for the perfect start to the league season - but has said there is a lot of hard work still to come.

Indeed, Arnie has taken on management duties this season during games, with player boss Bryan featuring in defence, and said that there should be no talk of winning leagues as it is important for the side to continue with their momentum.

Largs were certainly put through their paces before overcoming Kilwinning in a thrilling encounter, including some high quality goals from both sides, with keeper Ross Lundy receiving the man of the match award.

Arnie said: “I don’t want to hear anything about winning leagues, we have shown we can win games, ugly or pretty, and we just need to see where it takes us from there.

“It is a really tough league, and there are so many teams capable of beating each other, so to go three wins in a row is a really big achievement.

“Our team have shown they are capable of going on runs, the boys have shown they can handle that.” Arnie was pleased with the attitude, spirit and application of his side as they reached nine points out of nine.

He continued: “We said to the boys we had to stand up and be counted, and I thought they were magnificent. I thought the way they all matched their man, and were dogged against a really good Kilwinning team, showed they fully merited the victory.

“Alan Frizzell seemed to think he was fouled for the Kilwinning goal, and in fairness to Boylan it was a high quality goal, but the boys rolled up their sleeves and got on with it.

“It was a great ball in from Glenn Thomson for James Marks’ first goal.

“We could have got a few more goals to give us some breathing space but we kept battling away and I thought we deserved the third.

“That is four in three games for James, and I thought both him and Alan Frizzell showed non-stop running. Both of them played upfront in the 5-0 game, and they didn’t turn their men, but this time, they were up for the challenge.” Thistle’s arduous fitness training has also paid off, seeing them finish strongly in the last three league matches.

Arnie added: “We defended well, and Kilwinning did have a good few opportunities, but Craig Little, Alan Gilbride and Bryan all worked really hard in the rearguard, after the Buffs gave us a torrid time in that Ardagh Cup match.

“Kevin (Struthers) assisted me on the coaching staff as he was injured, so it was good having another voice in my ear.” Creag Little is going on holiday and will be missing for a couple of weeks, but Nicky Jamieson is working his way back in contention. Thistle have offered Gary Phillips a contact, but the winger turned out for Irvine Meadow on Saturday as a trialist in a 1-1 draw with Pollok.

* The Largs Thistle casino night has been moved to Saturday 10 October. The fundraising event will take place at the masonic hall in Frazer Street, Largs.

* The 200 Club prize for August was won by Alex Hunter who scooped £500. Vacancies are still available for the club fundraiser. Contact David Blackwood for details on 07729 779291