MARK McGUIGAN returned to Firhill just in time to savour Partick Thistle's most important win of the season so far.

And the striker hopes he can play a part in more magic moments for Jackie McNamara's side after spending the last few weeks on loan at Albion Rovers.

The 24-year-old was a surprise inclusion in the Thistle squad to face Dunfermline on Saturday, with McNamara electing to cut short his loan spell in the Irn-Bru Second Division on Friday evening and draft him in for the top-of-the-table clash.

McGuigan's time in Coatbridge proved useful as he gained much-needed game time in the first-team arena.

He was given the final few minutes of the Jags' 5-1 win over title rivals Dunfermline on his return to Glasgow and is now keen to sample the title race atmosphere for himself.

He said: "I want to say thanks to Albion Rovers, I loved my time there. They have a cracking manager (Todd Lumsden), a great bunch of boys and it has benefited me being there.

"You can't put a marker on the difference game time makes to you rather than just training or playing in the reserves.

"I feel the game time I got at Rovers was certainly to my benefit. I am delighted to be back and, hopefully, now I can play a few times for Thistle.

"If you are a substitute, that is the kind of game you want to come on in. The boys did all the hard work and you can just enjoy your time on the park.

"The boys were immense, it was one of those days where everything went for us. You couldn't pick a failure in the team. We scored some cracking goals and the fans were different class.

"Dunfermline brought a good crowd through and that added to a great atmosphere.

"The only thing missing was a goal for me. But I won't get greedy, it was just nice to be involved again."

With injuries to Stuart Bannigan and Sean Welsh and Steven Craig suspended, the strength of McNamara's squad shone through on Saturday as they saw off their main promotion rivals with ease.

McGuigan has a battle on his hands to win a starting jersey, but the striker is happy to bide his time to aid Thistle's push for the crown.

He said: "When I first went out on loan, I said I couldn't complain about not playing because the boys were scoring a lot of goals.

"When you saw the bench on Saturday, we had David Rowson and Hugh Murray there, and they are two guys who have played at the highest level for many years. They can't get in the team and that shows our strength of squad.

"I just have to work hard and be there when the man-ager needs me. We have a couple of injuries and suspensions, and that is when the squad starts to get pushed.

"I just need to make sure I am ready when called upon. If the boys keep playing like that, I can have no complaints. Hopefully, I can play a part."

Meanwhile, Thistle last night signed ex-Rangers and Motherwell keeper Graeme Smith until at least January 6 as cover for Scott Fox, who will be out for between six to eight weeks with a torn thigh muscle.