GERRY BRITTON has hailed Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald for handling the pressure of life in the Firhill hotseat.

The Jags boss took his side to the First Division title in the aftermath of Jackie McNamara's shock departure from the club last season and has given them a fighting chance of beating the drop from the Premiership in the coming weeks.

Thistle are involved in a four-way battle to avoid the play-off zone this term and former gaffer Britton, who is now head of youth development at Firhill, is delighted to see Archibald leading by example.

He said: "Usually managers take a job when clubs are on a low so you can only really go one way, but Alan was different.

"He came in when we were going for promotion, he had an additional expectation on him. He handled it superbly and he has taken us forward this year.

"He hasn't resorted to, like a lot of managers do, going for results and saying 'to hell with the style of play'.

"He has managed to marry the two together and he has done a fantastic job.

"He has got some great guys round about him. Scott Paterson is a legend here from his playing days and Scott McKenzie is an experienced and well-respected coach.

"I am more than happy to give him the benefit of my experiences and the pitfalls that I went through.

"Since he has come in, he has been his own man and done things his own way. It has been really successful."

With just 10 games remaining this term, Thistle face a huge few weeks as they bid to avoid going straight back down at the first time of asking.

The Jags had to wait nine years to return to the top flight after their relegation while Britton and Derek Whyte were in the dugout.

And the former Firhill forward knows survival this term is crucial for the club as they look to build for a bright future.

He said: "The club has historically been up and down the leagues.

"If we can get a bit of stability in the top flight, that is the ideal scenario.

"We feel that we are a club that should be in the top flight. We have got a great fanbase and we have got a lot going for us.

"But we have to keep maintaining the performances on the pitch and hopefully it will prove to be another great season for us."