Danny Devine may be the last centre-half standing at Partick Thistle from their impressive defensive unit last season, but he is sure that the Jags can cope with the loss of Liam Lindsay and Niall Keown.

Fellow defender Lindsay joined Barnsley for an undisclosed fee last week, while Keown has returned to parent club Reading.

Devine hasn’t given up hope that Keown may return to Firhill before the new season gets underway, but either way, he has complete faith in manager Alan Archibald to get it right in the transfer market as he looks to replenish the ranks.

“Obviously it’s a big blow from our point of view that we no longer have Liam and Niall,” Devine said.

“It’s a great move for big Liam though and I’m delighted for him. He’s got all the attributes to do well down there, and our loss is definitely Barnsley's gain.

“Niall was different class too when he came up last year, and it is going to be difficult to replace two players of such quality.

“We formed a great understanding last season between the three of us, and that was a major reason why the defence performed so well.

“It would be fantastic if we could get Niall back up the road, but even if we don’t, I’m sure the manager has targets in mind to come in, and he’s done brilliantly in the transfer market in the past.

“From a personal point of view, obviously the earlier the defence is in place the better, because we want to develop an understanding as soon as possible.

“But I have complete faith in the manager and Scotty Paterson, and I’m sure the defence will be just as strong next year.”

Thistle captain Abdul Osman expressed concern last week when reports linked manager Archibald with a move away from the club, and Devine agrees that the departure of the management team would be much harder to absorb than any players leaving.

“The manager has been so impressive, and he and Scott are the main drivers behind the success we have had,” he said.

“Obviously the players talk about things like that, and we all feel the same way about the prospect of losing them. There’s no doubt it would be a massive blow for us.

“We can only hope that they stay, but when you have success like they have had, then it’s only natural that big clubs will be looking at them.

“Hopefully they can stay here for at least one more season, because I feel that there is even more to come from this team.

“We look at St Johnstone and what they have achieved with a good manager and a similar budget to us, and there’s no reason why we can’t do the same and get in the mix for those European positions.”

Devine enjoyed an impressive first season at Firhill following a somewhat slow start after his move from Inverness last summer.

And after establishing himself in the starting eleven, Devine feels that his decision to swap the Highlands for Maryhill was more than justified.

“I had a great time at Inverness and we were really successful,” he said.

“It’s obviously sad to see them struggling and I hope that they can bounce straight back into the Premiership again.

“From my point of view though, I was never in any doubt that I had made the right decision in joining Thistle, and how well we did by getting into the top six just enforces that further.

“It’s been absolutely great and I’ve enjoyed it here from day one. It’s a fantastic club.”