ALAN ARCHIBALD insists he is not thinking about his long-term prospects after being thrown into the Partick Thistle spotlight.

The Jags skipper has been named interim boss following the exit of Jackie McNamara and Simon Donnelly to Dundee United, with ex-Thistle favourite Scott Paterson joining him in the dugout.

The new duo will be in charge when the Firhill club face Cowdenbeath on Irn-Bru First Division duty tomorrow as they look to cut the gap to leaders Morton to just two points.

The loss of McNamara and Donnelly could not have come at a worse time for promotion-chasing Jags, and Archibald admits he won't look to the future as the Thistle hierarchy get set to hold talks over a new manager.

He said: "It has been a manic couple of days, it's not been great and I say that as a player but also as a friend of the manager.

"All the players are in the same boat. It has been hard and we are all disappointed to see Jackie and Simon leave the club, but we wish them well.

"We knew that if they did a good job then people could come calling, but the timing isn't great for us. We just have to get on with it.

"My only thought has been about tomorrow, that is all I am looking at and making sure we have as much continuity as we can for the squad.

"It will be the same preparation for the game and I am not looking any further forward that the weekend.

"When the management team leaves, clubs usually promote from within, but it is hard for me to fill the role of player, coach and now stepping in to be the manager, but I will deal with it the best I can."

HE ADDED: "I have not thought about the long-term. I see still myself as a player and I am disappointed to lose the gaffer.

"The club want to keep things the same as much as possible so I have been asked to step in. I will do my best for Thistle and the players."

With Hugh Murray a crucial member of the Jags squad and David Rowson leaving the club by mutual consent on Wednesday night, Archibald is the obvious candidate to step into the managerial breach.

Paterson won the hearts of the Firhill faithful during his playing days and Archie is delighted to have the former Livingston assistant manager on board at the club during this period of transition.

He said: "There is not a lot of scope for guys to step up and the experienced players like myself and Hugh Murray have been in the team.

"If I am on the pitch, we need someone on the sidelines to make decisions so it was vital we brought someone in.

"Scott has a lot of experience from his time at Livingston, he had a great playing career and is someone I trust.

"He cares about the club and it is great he has stepped in to help us out."