CHRIS ERSKINE insists he won't start dreaming about life in the SPL with Dundee United until he has helped Partick Thistle to the top flight.

Former Firhill boss Jackie McNamara has agreed deals to sign Erskine and Jags skipper Paul Paton on pre-contract deals, with the duo set to head to Tannadice at the end of the Irn-Bru First Division title race.

The move to the top flight will realise a life-long dream for Erskine but the Thistle star is fully focused on completing the job as Alan Archibald's side close in on promotion.

Erskine said: "We have not won the title yet and that is all I am concentrating on.

"It came out on Tuesday night that Paul and me had signed. We would rather have kept it quiet until the end of the season.

"I felt as though it was the right move for my family and for me personally to go and further my career.

"I am fully concentrated on Thistle now. I am here until the end of the season and I am 100% committed to them.

"I have made no secret of the fact that I want to play in the SPL and that is coming now.

"The main thing for me is that Thistle go up and that is what I will be striving for in the remaining games."

Thistle could, and should, already have their place in the SPL confirmed but they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Raith Rovers on Tuesday night.

Archibald's side only need a point from their three remaining fixtures, starting at Falkirk on Saturday, and Erskine is keen to cross the winning line as soon as possible.

He said: "Winning the league has been the goal all along this season. We had a chance to do it on Tuesday night and we were disappointed not to win it at Firhill in front of a big crowd.

"I had a couple of chances myself to win us the game and the league but it wasn't to be.

"I was gutted that I couldn't score and win it for us in front of our own fans. We only need a point now so it is well within our hands."

HE added: "It would have been nice to win it at Firhill and we know the last three games are tough, but we have to be confident of going to Falkirk and winning.

"If we only get a point, that will be enough. Hopefully we will get the win and that will be it over and done with."

With the title within touching distance, Thistle are bracing themselves for a promotion party against Dunfermline on the penultimate weekend of the First Division season.

The Pars clash will be Erskine and Paton's final Firhill fixtures as they bring the curtain down on several years of service. And Erskine is determined to bow out on a high note by holding the silverware aloft.

He said: "I don't know if it will be me that lifts it. Pates is the club captain and the gaffer was the captain for most of the season until a few months ago. I don't know if it will be down to me to lift it.

"If it is, it would be brilliant and a massive honour. I have had the captaincy in the last few games and it has been a privilege to lead the team out.

"It has been huge for me. A lot of people say I am not the captain type because I am not that vocal on the park or aggressive, but it maybe shows the respect the manager and the squad have for me and that is nice. It means a lot.

"The Dunfermline game will be my last game at Firhill so if we can wrap it up at Falkirk on Saturday and then have a title party at home to Dunfermline that would be a great way to bow out."