THE game with Motherwell this afternoon is a massive one for both clubs.

There is only four points between the two of us in the Premiership table and they will be looking to close that gap and drag us closer to themselves and Ross County.

But we know that if we win we will go above Kilmarnock and into eighth place before they face Aberdeen tomorrow.

That is what we are focusing on. We are looking to win the game, continue our good form and move up the table.

We are just three points behind Killie so there is a real incentive there for us ahead of what is a really important game.

Motherwell are on a good run at the moment but we have done well over the last few weeks and equipped ourselves well against the top two teams in the league in the last couple of days.

It was another good performance from the boys up at Aberdeen last weekend, we could have won the game and certainly deserved our point.

And, despite losing to Celtic on Wednesday night, there are plenty of positives for us to take into the game today.

We weathered the storm early on, you need a bit of luck when you go to Parkhead, but after that we settled into the game and started getting on the ball.

When James Craigen got set off just before the break and Celtic score from the penalty, that changed the whole game and how we were able to approach the second half.

It was disappointing how it turned out but there were pleasing factors for us from a game that I doubt many people would have thought we would get anything from.

Our heads are still high. We are playing well at the moment and we are confident going into what is a massive fixture against Motherwell.

Our form recently has been good and we have picked up a few points, but so too have the teams below us in the table.

We got a really good win up at Tannadice in February and came in that day and found out that Motherwell, County and St Mirren had all won as well.

Since then, Motherwell and County have been on good runs. But we aren't looking at what they are doing. The focus is all on us.

We are getting to business end of the season and teams will start tripping each other up over the next few weeks.

The game at Firhill today won't decide anything but, if we win, it would be a real boost for and maybe a psychological blow for the other teams.

Once you get into the split, the games change because of the pressure and importance of them. It will come down to how each team handles that pressure.

Before the international break, we beat St Johnstone and Inverness Caley Thistle at home to record back-to-back league wins for the first time since we got promoted and hopefully we can make it three-in-a-row at Firhill this afternoon.

I am sure Motherwell will bring a few fans through and I know the Thistle fans will come out in their numbers and support the boys.

It can make a big difference having that home crowd behind you.

Hopefully the players can give the supporters plenty to cheer about and we can get another three points.