ALAN ARCHIBALD admits it is still too soon to consider youngster Chris Duggan for a Partick Thistle first-team place.

The striker has been in superb form for the Jags' second string in recent weeks as Scott McKenzie's Under-20 side have made an impressive start to their league campaign.

Duggan moved to Firhill this summer following spells with Queen's Park and Hamilton Accies and Archibald hopes the forward has a bright future at the club.

He said: "Chris has been outstanding for the 20s, his record is fantastic.

"He has trained with us a few times, as have most of that squad. It is a different level though and it would be a big ask to throw any of them in to a first-team game at the moment.

"There are a lot of things Chris has to improve on and he knows that.

"Having that knack of scoring goals is something people just have, you can't put your finger on it. Some of Chris' finishes have been outstanding."

Despite a number of Thistle's young stars catching the eye so far this term, first-team opportunities will prove hard to come by as Archibald's team perform admirably in the SPFL Premiership.

But the Jags boss knows he will have to utilise his squad as the campaign progresses.

Archibald said: "The boys have done really well but it is hard for them to break through just now because we have a very strong first-team squad.

"We have not had any injuries yet. That will happen, though.

"Sometimes you get spells in a season where you get four or five at the one time and that is when you need squad players to step up."