ALAN ARCHIBALD has on form the joint second-best team in Scotland right now - and it wasn't the Partick Thistle boss who made that claim.

That came from Brendan Rodgers who was keen to praise the Jags as he felt deserved to take a point away from Parkhead for the first time in 23 years.

The Celtic manager said Thistle, along with Aberdeen, were only behind his own side in terms of points performances and admitted to being a fan of what Archibald has been doing at Firhill.

Rodgers said: "I've said earlier in the season Partick were a good team when they were bottom of the league.

Read more: Celtic 1, Partick Thistle 1: A great night for the Jags as they win a brilliant point at Parkhead

"I see how their coach gets his team set up and full of confidence. He's got good ideas, Alan and he will be pleased with his team.

"You can see why they've grown and are now in the top six. We've no complaints."

As for Archibald, he deserves huge credit even if he is a hard man to please.

He said: "I’m delighted but it looked a long way away in the first half. It was probably our worst performance in terms of ball retention in the first half but it was much better in the second half.

“I was delighted thhat we kept the ball better to give our backline and midfield a bit of respite because we couldn’t continue playing as we did in the first half.

“Ade Azeez had a chance at the end and I thought he was going to finish it. He works ever so hard and I’m glad he got his reward in the big stage because he’s been outstanding in terms of the way he’s played for us and he’s got us up the pitch.

“He’s had a number of great opportunities but never had the finish and thankfully he got one. He might have had two but his shot was blocked.

"It was a good performance after coming in out the blue after Kris Doolan had a thigh strain.

Read more: Celtic 1, Partick Thistle 1: A great night for the Jags as they win a brilliant point at Parkhead

“We hoped we would make chances after they scored. The players grew into the game in the second half and were a lot more comfortable. Young Andy McCarthy made his debut and there were a number of changes which is maybe why we looked a bit rusty."

And now a top half finish is on the cards.

Archibald said: "We aren’t in the top six yet but it’s in our own hands and we’ve got a good game at home, a tough game against Motherwell on Saturday. We’ve got a good squad to pick from."