Thistle boss Stuart Davidson has urged his players to relish the raucous atmosphere when Largs return to St Roch’s for cup action two seasons after a classic encounter between the sides.


In-form Largs face the trip to James McGrory Park in the Soccer Shop South of Scotland Cup first round — and Largs are fully aware of the hostile atmosphere.
Thistle came back from two goals down to win 5-2 in a dramatic fifth-round Scottish Cup tie, pictured, in 2019 — and Largs boss Davidson wants his players to make the most of Saturday’s big occasion.
He said: “If I was a player, it is the kind of game I would really be looking forward to.
“We know what to expect in terms of the atmosphere and you have to embrace it — they have a big crowd and the stadium is set up like a wee cauldron.
“We got a good result in the South of Scotland Cup last year against Dalbeattie Star — and it is a cup we really want to do well 
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“We are four games unbeaten and got a good result on Saturday against Benburb, so we want to continue in the same vein.
“We are becoming hard to beat again and to me that is good form going into a cup tie.”
Looking back at Saturday’s crucial league win over Benburb, Davidson said: “It was definitely a good day’s work.
“First and foremost all we are looking for three points which have been hard to come by for us lately for one reason or another.”
“But the way we went about our business we came out the blocks flying although we missed some early chances and then Benburb came back into it. 
“We kept faith in ourselves and instead of retreating and feeling down about it we kept pushing forward and got our just rewards.
“We got the penalty and Scott Adam tucked it away — it took a wee bit of pressure off us going into the interval, and those two early goals in the second half were important for us.
“It was good for the players to take responsibility. Will put the defender under pressure and took his goal well.
“It was a great first touch from Owen before finishing it off for goal number three.
“In training Owen has been smashing some of these shots into the top corner and he is more than capable of doing it.”
There was a lot more intricate play through the midfield getting Faulds, McBryde, and Docherty on the ball and setting up good moves.
Davidson said: “It is something we have been working on in training.
“We were brave on the ball and making good passes and it really helped. We really defended well too.
“I still want a bit more from the players - I want to see more of a hunger and ruthlessness from us and really go and finish teams off. 
“Even at 3-0 up, I was urging us to keep going forward.”
Winger Jack Haggerty was not stripped for action on Saturday after some issues with his hamstring but is not too far away from coming back, while Craig Forbes suffered a muscle tear around his hip area.
The good news for Largs is that defender Cory Hughes, who has missed the past six weeks, is back at training.
Davidson said: “The squad is getting more competitive and everyone knows they now have to fight for their jersey week in week out.
“It was good to see Blair MacIntyre, Keir Milliken and Liam Lapsley coming off the bench, and with Jamie Ballantyne too, we have a lot of competition on the sidelines waiting to make their mark so it is all good and healthy competition for the team which is what I want to see.”