ALAN ARCHIBALD has paid tribute to Robbie Neilson tor making Hearts the early Premiership pace-setters with a 100 per cent record from the first four games.

The Partick Thistle boss is not completely surprised because he has been impressed with the squad strengthening being done at Tynecastle to build on last season’s runaway triumph in the Championship.

Archibald, who leads his team out against the Jambos tomorrow, said: “I think Robbie has surpassed expectations, He’s done a fantastic job because it wasn’t easy when he first went in there.

“He laid down markers the way he was going to go about stuff and play as a team and he has done really well.

“He is a young guy who has done well in his first season. We have all been there as managers and he has handled it brilliantly.

“I’m not really surprised that Hearts are doing well. Everything is going good at the club off the field and I think that feeds onto the pitch as well.

“They got a good win in the first game and they have kicked on – it’s just confidence.

“I think Robbie has assembled a good squad and strengthened really well in the transfer window. He’s brought in quality. He also has a great group of young lads as well.”

Archibald, who has Abdul Osman, Stevie Lawless and Mathias Pogba struggling, has been given a glimpse into how Neilson operates as they are colleagues on the current Uefa a licence course.

However, he reckons St Johnstone’s performance when they lost 4-3 on day one of the season give him good reason to believe he can achieve something tomorrow.

He said: “I know Robbie from the A licence we are doing at the moment – there are a few of us on it, Paul Hartley too.

“He’s a young guy learning and thoroughly enjoying what he is doing.

“We don’t worry about giving anything away to each other. It doesn’t work like that. We just share what we have to share.

“They’re flying at the moment. I’ve caught a couple of their games and they have starred really well.

“But I think St Johnstone, in the first game, ran them pretty close so hopefully we can put in a similar performance to the one they did. Hopefully we can cause them problems.

“We’re missing Liam Lindsay through suspension and training has been awkward because of the knocks.”

Archibald, meanwhile, cannot quite understand the level of criticism and abuse which has been aimed at his old boss Jackie McNamara, the man he replaced at Firhill when he left for Tannadice.

The Dundee United manager has been getting it in the neck from some supporters, especially after last week’s surprising 4-0 defeat by Hamilton Accies.

Archibald said: “I’m surprised that Jackie’s getting stick, but I shouldn’t be because it’s football and it’s the nature of the beast.

“If you lose 4-0 that’s what happens but I think they’ll be fine. They have a good group up there.

“”It can’t be easy losing your best players all the time and having to replace them.

“II know what Jackie can do and there is a good backroom staff up there with Craig Hinchcliffe, Darren Jackson and Simon Donnelly.

“They’ll come through it – but hopefully not before they play us.”