SCOTT FOX is determined to hold on to the Partick Thistle gloves between now and the end of the season ...

and repay boss Alan Archibald's faith in him.

It has been a frustrating campaign between the sticks for the former Scotland keeper as illness, injury and the consistent showings of Paul Gallacher have kept him out of the starting line-up for long spells.

After returning to the side for the clash with Celtic last month, Fox was forced off at half-time against Dundee just days later with a muscle injury.

He was back in goal for the impressive 3-0 win over St Johnstone at the weekend and is eager to finish the season on a high note as attentions turn to the visit of Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday.

He said: "You want to be playing and it was great to come back in against St Johnstone. I was unlucky after the Celtic game when my thigh went against Dundee.

"I am back in again, so hopefully I can stay injury-free and play until the end of the season. It has been a stop-start time for me. After last year, I was hoping to kick on, but I have not had that opportunity. There are nine games left and I want to play in all of them.

"The manager has backed me and I am grateful for that. He put me in at the start of the season and against Celtic. He has stood by me and given me the opportunity to play, so hopefully I can repay him with my performances.

"Paul was the first one to tell me that I was playing. He phoned to let me know and he gave me some encouragement. He is obviously disappointed not to play, but he has been great with me as a coach. We are working together and working well."

Fox didn't have that much to do on his return to action at the weekend as goals from Kris Doolan, Conrad Balatoni and Stuart Bannigan clinched an important win for Thistle.

Victory at Firhill moved the Jags six points clear of Ross County and nine in front of Motherwell as they look to preserve their Premiership status.

And Fox is determined to add to that tally once again this weekend as the top-flight split edges nearer.

He said: "It was a big result for us and the boys were brilliant. The defeat against Ross County put a bit of pressure on us because that was an important game and we didn't get the result we wanted.

"But we have won two out of the last three now, so hopefully we can kick on. We know the run of fixtures we have got is difficult. We have got Inverness this weekend and they are going for Europe. Then we have got Aberdeen and Celtic coming up as well.

"That is why Saturday was so important and why it was such a big three points for us. We have the advantage in the table, so it is about what we do and, if we get the points on the board, then the teams below us won't catch us.

"We are trying to get away from it and things went well for us on Saturday. Hopefully we can get another result against Inverness and we can go into the Aberdeen and Celtic games with a bit of confidence."