CLUB physio Kenny Crichton mentioned last week it was coming up to a year since Alan Archibald and I took over at Firhill and we couldn't believe it.

It has just flown by, but it has been a really good time for ourselves and Partick Thistle.

Obviously winning the First Division title is the highlight and there was a real buzz around the club about us getting back into the top flight after a few years away.

There have been a lot of highs for us, but there have been a lot of frustrations as well, especially this season. Overall, it has been a really enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

It was bizarre how it all unfolded 12 months ago. I had heard that it was Steven Pressley or Billy Dodds who was getting the Dundee United job, but then Alan phoned, although I hadn't spoken to him for a few months, and he said that Jackie was leaving.

I thought Archie would have been going with him, but when he said the board had asked him to take over I was delighted for him. Then he hit me with 'would you like to come down and help me?'

I jumped at the chance. It was a great opportunity for both of us and I really enjoy working with Alan.

I didn't have any second thoughts about it. It was a great opportunity and it has worked out great for us.

When Jackie left, there were people asking questions about the players' mentality and how they would react to it, but the continuity of having Alan there helped a lot and the players responded to that.

One of the first things we sorted out was the away form, and going on to win the league was a great achievement for the players.

There was a lot of pressure on them, but they delivered and got us over the line.

When I first came in, I sensed a real togetherness in the dressing room and amongst the players. It was similar to when myself and Alan were players under John Lambie.

We had a great team spirit then and I could see that in this group. They are a great bunch of boys to work with and that made the job easier.

The players knew Alan, and we were able to kick on from there and put together a terrific run of results to win the title.

Our remit at the start of the season was to stay in the Premiership and it would be a great achievement if we can do that.

I am confident that we can do it. We have been really happy with the way the lads have taken to the league and how they have played overall. But you can see yourself that some results haven't gone our way.

That is football and, as I have said before, the big difference from last season is that we are getting punished for every mistake we make. Hopefully, the lads will get the reward for all their hard work come the end of the season.

We want to kick on and stay in the Premiership. If we can do that, I think it would probably be a better achievement than last year.

It is strange how the fixtures have worked out that Thistle and United will play each other this week as Alan and Jackie mark their first year in their jobs.

At the start of the season, there was a lot of hype about Jackie coming back to Firhill, but this weekend all the talk will be about the football. It will be a good game and hopefully we can celebrate our first anniversary with three points.