DALE KEENAN is confident he can hold down a Firhill full-back berth this term - even if boss Alan Archibald bolsters his defensive ranks.

The Jags kid got another pre-season run out as Partick Thistle beat Sunderland 3-1 on Wednesday night.

Finding a replacement left-back for Aaron Taylor-Sinclair remains Archibald's top priority this summer and Keenan is determined to impress.

He said: "I have played in every game, got my fitness up and I am pushing for a place in the team, so I am happy with how things are going.

"I wasn't sure what would happen this season but with people moving on I have been given my chance.

"I have done everything I can to take the chance and hopefully I have made the manager think. I will see what happens come the first day of the season."

Keenan continued: "A couple of the boys said to me that I was more than capable of being in the team and that gave me a lot of confidence.

"The manager has been brilliant with me too, I couldn't ask for any better.

"He has given me a lot of opportunities to play in pre-season and I have been involved with the first team. That is all I can ask for.

"Everyone is here to fight for a place and that is what I will do.

"If someone comes in, I will be here fighting to get in the team.

"That is all I can do and hopefully I can impress the manager."