STEPHEN O'DONNELL reckons Partick Thistle's stand-in kids have given boss Alan Archibald a selection headache for the trip to Ross County this weekend.

The Jags gaffer handed starts to Liam Lindsay, Dale Keenan and Declan McDaid for the Premiership clash with Dundee United on Sunday as injury and illness took their toll on his squad.

All three Firhill starlets impressed as Jackie McNamara's side came back from 2-1 down to earn a late draw and deny Thistle a crucial league triumph.

The Jags head to Dingwall on Saturday aiming to kick-start their bid for a top six berth this term and O'Donnell has backed his young team-mates to shine again if they are given the nod in the Highlands.

He said: "I thought all them done really well. It was good for them to get a taste of it.

"It would have maybe been better if they had come on when we were winning but it wasn't to be.

"They had to answer the call and they done themselves proud. Now it maybe gives the gaffer a headache for next week. I am sure he will be pleased with that.

"The three of them came in and done well and they have given the gaffer a decision. That is all you can do as a player, when you get your chance you need to take it.

"It would be nice to have a full, fit squad so we have that problem and hopefully we will be in good shape for Saturday."

The signs looked ominous for Thistle early on against United as a much-changed line-up found themselves behind to Gary Mackay-Steven's 10th minute effort.

Goals from Ryan Stevenson and Kris Doolan had them on course for victory before Nadir Ciftci netted an equaliser after a sustained period of pressure from the visitors.

Archibald's side were well worthy of a share of the spoils, though, and defender O'Donnell was pleased overall.

He said: "We were a bit poor to start with. There were a lot of changes and it took a while for us to settle down but we coped well and then went on to dominate the first half.

"In the second half, United pegged us back and we had to work hard but we done well.

"We know they are good on the break so for that to cost us was disappointing.

"They had a few chances but so did we. It was a sore one for us to take but they have been in great form. It wasn't the worst result but we would have loved three points."

Having got 2015 off to a solid start with an impressive Firhill showing, Thistle make the trip up the A9 this weekend eager to hit a sustained run of form.

The Jags are eight points adrift of sixth-placed St Johnstone in the top flight standings and O'Donnell knows they need to keep their standards high if they are to move in the right direction this term.

He said: "It has been a stop start campaign, and last year as well.

"It is a tough league and you get punished for any mistakes. We have made too many of them individually and as a team over the last year-and-a-half.

"Hopefully we can cut them out and look to push up the league."