I STILL have friends and family in Aberdeen and I'm getting a feel for the sense of optimism that is going around the city thanks to the job Derek McInnes and his players are doing this season.

It is a great club and when there is a winning team on the park, the fans really come out.

I am sure they will bring a big crowd to Firhill on Saturday but hopefully it is the Thistle fans who are celebrating come the end of the game.

Aberdeen were fancied for a good season before a ball was kicked this year and are going really well, they are one of the form teams in the country.

They are in the League Cup final, the Scottish Cup last eight and second in the Premiership.

Derek has got a really good squad and they are playing with a lot of confidence so it will be a really tough game for us. It is one we can win, though.

They have got a winning mentality and even though they weren't at their best against St Mirren on Saturday they ground out a result. That is the sign of a good team.

They have guys who have been there and done it and I would fancy them to go on and take second place, but hopefully we can halt their progress this week.