DANNY Devine reckons he moved up in the world when he travelled down to Maryhill from the Highlands this summer.

And he is determined to ram home that point when his old pals from Inverness Caledonian Thistle make the same journey to take on Partick Thistle in Saturday's Premiership opener.

Caley Thistle, now under the charge of Richie Foran, graced a League Cup final and scooped a Scottish Cup win in Devine's time at the club.

But the 23-year-old sees no reason why Partick can't achieve likewise this season.

They have certainly looked the part to date - sealing a spot in the last 16 of the BetFred Cup with a 100 per cent record which will be the envy of many Premiership clubs.

"I think I’ve moved to a bigger club," said Devine, after the 2-0 win against city rivals Queen's Park.

"Based in Glasgow, Partick Thistle are a big club and hopefully we can challenge for the top six and on the trophy front.

"You look at Ross County winning a cup last season and Inverness the season before.

"So there’s no reason why we can't. It’s been a great start for us but we definitely want to put a marker down. Getting those first three points at home would set us up nicely."

The trash talk with his old Inverness pals began pretty much as soon as the SPFL fixture computer paired these two Thistles together on the opening day of the league season. From pretty much his first faltering steps into the Highlanders' dressing room, Devine could tell that Foran was the real gaffer of Caley Thistle and now the central defender is determined to show him who is boss.

"I laughed when the fixtures came out but it’s just one of these things and I just have to get on with it," said Devine. "Hopefully we pick up all three points.

"I’ve had a couple of texts since the fixtures were announced but it’ll all go out the window when the first whistle blows. Aaron Doran and Josh Meekings have been in touch but the main thing is that we get the win. We’re desperate to win the game and get off to a good start."

"If anyone can handle the step up [from player to manager] then Richie can," added the Northern Irishman.

"In the changing room he was a real leader. Everyone respected him as a captain and a person.

"So he won’t be fazed by it. This is a different situation with different tests for him but I think he’ll do well.

"He was great with me from the day I moved up. He’s hard but fair and I’m sure he’ll take that into management. I think the continuity is maybe the best thing for them. He’ll do well hopefully, just not too well."

Partick have looked the part during their BetFred Cup campaign thus far but manager Alan Archibald is well aware that the club's meat and drink remains simply ensuring their Premiership survival.

"Having said that, they finished one point out of the top six 12 months back, despite failing to win any of their first 10 matches in all competitions and a better start could clearly pay dividends.

A clever early header from re-born attacker Chris Erskine and a commanding late header from centre half Liam Lindsay were enough to take this match away from a game Queen's Park outfit.

"We were a point away from the top six last year, so we know that can be the difference," said Archibald.

"But we have to stay in the league then try to build on it."