Baby steps key if Thistle are to make giant leap into SPL

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Baby steps key if Thistle are to make giant leap into SPL

HIGH-FLYING Partick Thistle are not getting carried away with their stunning start to the season.

Thistle manager Jackie McNamara backs the Help for Heroes campaign
Thistle manager Jackie McNamara backs the Help for Heroes campaign

That is the pledge of Firhill boss Jackie McNamara, who is vowing to keep his troops' feet on the ground despite their unbeaten run in the Irn-Bru First Division.

They have won five from five on league duty this term, with a Rams-dens Cup semi-final clash with Cowdenbeath also on the horizon.

The Blue Brazil visit Firhill tomorrow as Mac's side attempt to keep their remarkable run going and the Jags boss says his players cannot afford to take the foot off the gas.

He said: "It has been a good start and the longer we keep it going the more confidence we will get and the better we'll play.

"I've got a few selection problems, but I would rather have that than be struggling to fill the team. There are boys waiting to come in and not just to the first-team but to the squad.

"Ross Forbes has come into contention, David Rowson made a comeback the other night, although he will need a few more games under his belt. It is good we have options.

"All of the boys are focused and determined. We have got experience in there and that helps in the dressing-room.

"The team talk will be the same, it's just another game. We are not even through the first quarter of the season so we're not getting ahead of ourselves."

McNamara will be without striker Steven Craig as well as midfielder Sean Welsh tomorrow as the pair were injured in Saturday's victory over Livingston.

There could be a return to action for Kris Doolan, however, with McNamara keen to see his squad players step up to the mark.

He said: "The original diagnosis was that Stevie would be out for three to four weeks, but we will wait and see, hopefully it won't be as long as that.

"We're disappointed to lose him and Sean will be out for this weekend, too.

"He got a blow on his thigh against Raith and he hurt it again last weekend. Luckily, he doesn't need an operation as that would have kept him out.

"We will see how it settles down, hopefully it clears up soon."

HE ADDED: "Dools has trained so I'm hoping he will be involved on Saturday. He was desperate to play but it is important not to rush him back and he ends up out for longer.

"The guys that have come in have a chance to stake a claim and give me a selection headache for the next game."

McNamara and first-team stars Aaron Sinclair as well as crocked Craig were on hand yesterday to help Real and Smooth Radio launch their Help for Heroes campaign.

The Glasgow-based stations have a number of events planned to raise funds for our troops ahead of Help for Heroes day which is on Friday, September 28.

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