PARTICK THISTLE winger Declan McDaid has put pen-to-paper on a two year extension to his Firhill deal.

The Jags kid has come to the fore in recent months and has been rewarded for his fine showings as he has forced his way into Alan Archibald's first team plans.

McDaid has started Thistle's last two Premiership outings against Celtic and Dundee as he has made the most of his chance to shine at Firhill.

And the 19-year-old is determined to keep improving and repay Archibald's faith in him after signing on the dotted line.

McDaid said: "I am really pleased to have signed my new deal. It is good to get it done and it has been a good few weeks for me.

"I was hoping that I would get a chance against Celtic but even when the gaffer told me I was a bit shocked. I was delighted though.

" It was a good occasion in front of a big crowd and the game was on TV as well. I felt I done well and I was pleased.

"I stayed in the team on Saturday and I was pleased with how I done so hopefully I can get a run in the team now.

"I am really happy that the gaffer has kept me in the side. I feel I have played well and that is what I had to do.

"He didn't need to start me but he put me in against Celtic and then kept me in the team on Saturday which was great. Hopefully I can keep playing well.

"I want to get more assists and get my first goal as well to help the team pick up results. I would love to get a goal in the next couple of games and that is one of my aims."

Having convinced Archibald he is worthy of a place in the Firhill first team squad this term, McDaid has proven to be a welcome addition to the Thistle forward line in recent months.

The wide man has steadily improved since making the switch from Morton in the summer of 2013, with his performances for the Thistle second string last season earning him a shot at Premiership glory this time out.

McDaid may have been unable to inspire Archibald's side to glory at the weekend as they went down 1-0 to Dundee, but he is confident the Jags squad will help him improve.

He said: "We have got a really good dressing room and the boys are still in good spirits.

"We know we played well on Saturday and deserved something from the game. We will stick together and get through it.

"A lot of boys have helped me and I have proved I can be a first team player.

"Conrad [Balatoni] has been great and has talked to me a lot about what I am doing well and how I can improve and Stevo (Ryan Stevenson) has been great as well, his experience has really helped me.

"He has played at a high level and he has helped me a lot in terms of my work rate and technique."

Having suffered a late defeat at Dens, Thistle have a chance to kick-start their campaign when Ross County visit Firhill this weekend.

Victory for the Jags would give them breathing space at the foot of the Premiership standings and McDaid knows they need to be more clinical in the final third.

He said: "We played well and created a few chances but we didn't score and that cost us. We need to score when we are on top.

"We have a really big game on Saturday against County and we are looking for the three points. We aren't on a great run just now so we need to start winning again."