PARTICK THISTLE manager Alan Archibald insists his team were worthy of a point against Celtic yesterday.

Just days after crashing to a 5-1 Firhill defeat to Motherwell, the Jags bounced back in style with a fine performance across the city as they went toe-to-toe with the champions.

Joe Ledley's first-half strike was enough to give Neil Lennon's side all three points at Parkhead as Thistle passed up a couple of decent chances, including one which saw keeper Fraser Forster make a terrific save from Christie Elliott with the score tied at 0-0.

Thistle are now just one point ahead of Ross County in the SPFL Premiership standings but boss Archibald reckons his side were unlucky once again after their winless run was extended.

He said: "I thought we deserved something, we certainly did.

"We did enough in the game and created enough chances to get at least a point.

"It is frustrating but they say in football the harder you work the results will come so hopefully that is the case for us.

"I was delighted to get a great response from them after such a disappointing result the other day against Motherwell.

"We had two or three good chances."

Thistle were more than a match for the Hoops as they silenced the home crowd with an energetic display, but a goal never materialised.

The Jags saw a penalty claim waved away by whistler Kevin Clancy after Ledley appeared to foul Elliott on the hour mark and Archibald reckons his side should have had a spot kick.

He said: "At the time I thought it was a foul, I didn't know he was in the box to be honest. It is a foul.

"Anywhere else on the pitch it is a foul. When we were watching it, I didn't realise he was in the box.

"Now I know, that is probably why he didn't give it. Normally anywhere else on the pitch that is a foul.

"It is one of those ones that you say is a soft penalty but there is definitely a push there. It is clear to see."

Archibald handed a start to new signing Lyle Taylor for the derby clash, with the former Falkirk forward impressing on his Jags bow as he replaced seven-goal striker Kris Doolan in the starting line-up.

And, with the transfer window now open, the Firhill boss is eager to further add to his ranks for the second half of the Premiership campaign.

Archibald said: "Lyle has not played a lot of football and we thought it would be good to get him involved.

"Kris Doolan has played a lot of football so it was a chance to get Lyle in and get him a run. I thought he did well.

"I am hoping to bring more players in.

"Whether we get them or not and how quickly we get them, it is hard to say.

"As I said the other day, the goalposts move all the time in January. You think you have got a player and it slips by."