Partick Thistle fighting for safety of top six, says captain Sean Welsh

Only seven points separate the bottom seven sides, and whoever finishes in the top half of the table before the split can relax for the final five matches - free from the prospect of relegation.

The Jags' 1-0 defeat at home to St Johnstone on Wednesday night meant Alan Archibald's side slipped back into seventh place, overtaken by Motherwell.

And, while Welsh is not too concerned about that at the moment, he is aware of the importance of the split.

Ahead of the trip to Aberdeen, the 26-year-old midfielder said: "That would be massive for the club, to finish in the top six. That gives you that safety because it is going to be a real scrap in the bottom six after the split.

"Realistically, everyone is fighting for one spot in the top half.

"By the looks of it now, St Johnstone have kind of pulled away as well (in fifth place) .

"So we have a right fight on our hands for that sixth spot and that is what we are aiming for.

"We think we can do it. We have a good squad but everyone else is saying the same thing.

"So it is a good battle but we need to make sure we are ready for it because it would be a massive bonus to finish in the top six.

"The seven teams are all in it together and no-one can get that run to pull them away.

"A defeat brings you back into it and everyone is trying to do the same, and pull away from that group.

"There are still plenty of games to go and it is very very tight."

Welsh knows Thistle's ambitions would be helped with a win against some of the top-half sides, starting against the Dons.

The former Hibernian player said: "We haven't really picked up points against the so-called bigger teams, and that is frustrating.

"We need to try to win a couple of those games because if you don't it puts a lot of pressure on the games against teams around you - they become massive games.

"So if you could take three points from an Aberdeen or a Hearts, then it would be big bonus."