Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald has dismissed Lee Clark’s attempt at mind games ahead of the Jags’ trip to face Kilmarnock this weekend.

Thistle have yet to mathematically rule themselves out of the relegation playoff reckoning after three defeats in-a-row, including a morale-bruising reverse against Inverness last weekend.

Killie gaffer Clark reckons that if his side can get the better of Thistle at Rugby Park, then nerves will start to jangle down Firhill way, but Archibald says that his comments will simply serve to motivate his players.

“It doesn’t affect us,” Archibald said. “We’ve been in the same position all season – two bad results away from the bottom and two good ones away from the top half – so nothing has changed.

“That’s been our status for the last 12 weeks, if not since December. Every match against the teams round about is has been a six-pointer so that’s the position we find ourselves in again.

“We’ve faced it a number of times and we’re facing it again. It would be nice to put the play-offs to bed and we want to be safe as quickly as possible.

“I know this is a big game and we’re not disguising that fact but we’re used to that. I think talk of a fear factor might motivate our players more than me because they read newspapers more often than I do, although I see these things as well.

“However, I don’t think it will have any effect on the game once we kick off on Saturday. All that goes out of the window and the business is done on the pitch.

“We’re in a good position because it’s in our own hands and it’s not all doom and gloom, although some people are wanting that.

“I know we put in a horrible performance last weekend but now we need to put that right.”

Archibald was delighted to have some positive news to focus on with the announcement on Wednesday that he and assistant manager Scott Paterson have agreed new three-year deals at the club.

“It had been sorted for a week or so and we just wanted to wait for a good time to announce it,” he said.

“Talks had gone very well and I didn’t need a lot of persuading to re-sign. There have been a few bumps on the road along the way but, nine times out of 10, the board and I are going in the same direction.

“It’s a great place to work and, if there’s money there for me to spend, there’s usually no attempt to hide it.

“There is a recognition from the directors that Scott Paterson and myself are trying to build something here and that we need to make changes every year.

“We’ve improved the squad, even though we’ve lost key players at times every single season. Sometimes it takes longer than others to replace them but we’ve always been able to put a decent side on the pitch.

“When I was a player I always wondered whether or not the manager was intending to be there for a long time so bringing that stability is good.

“It should also help when it comes to bringing new players here because they’ll know that there are no grey areas where my future is concerned.”