JAMES CRAIGEN is determined to hold on to a Firhill first-team jersey after helping Partick Thistle to victory over Motherwell on Saturday.

The midfielder made his first league start of the season for Alan Archibald's side as goals from Stuart Bannigan, Kris Doolan and Stephen O'Donnell earned them a 3-1 success.

It had been a frustrating start to the season for Craigen as he struggled to get himself into his manager's starting plans ahead of summer signing Ryan Stevenson.

With Gary Fraser and Kallum Higginbotham sidelined through injury, he made the most of his chance to impress at the weekend as he turned in a solid showing in the middle of the park.

And the 23-year-old hopes there are plenty more games, and points, to come this term.

Craigen said: "I was delighted to be back in the team. We had players ruled out and the gaffer showed faith in me.

"To get the three points against Well made it an even better feeling.

"I had been working hard in training and I had to go out and make an impression.

"Hopefully I did that and can continue to play well and stay in the team.

"We were delighted to win a huge three points.

"It was a tough game but after losing down at Kilmarnock it was important that we bounced back with a victory and we managed to do that."

Craigen was delighted to see Saturday's win propel Partick up to seventh in the Premiership standings ahead of the international break. A trip to Tannadice to face Dundee United is next up for the Jags when the domestic action returns a week on Saturday.

And Craigen hopes the Firhill feel-good factor will stand Archibald's men in good stead as they set their sights on a top-six berth this term.

"It was massive to have won against Motherwell, especially going into the international break," Craigen told ptfc.co.uk

"You don't want to be sitting with a defeat on your mind with so long to wait before you can try to put it right. It's great to have that positivity about the place. The boys will be in great spirit before the next match.

"There is possibly a feeling that the break is not ideal for us because you'd want to play your next game right away.

"But there is nothing we can do about that so we just have to prepare well for Dundee United in two weeks.

"It's going to be a tough game against them.

"With United's loss at Kilmarnock last Friday, and with Hamilton doing so well, it just shows that anyone can beat anyone in this league."