Paul Gallacher says he knows he is unlikely to hang on to the Partick Thistle gloves despite a stellar showing against Dundee.

The 36-year-old player/coach made several crucial saves, particularly in the opening stages of the match, before Liam Lindsay gave the Firhill side the lead.

The home side clawed Thistle back in the closing stages, which was harsh on Gallacher after impressing on his first appearance of the season.

“If I could retain that jersey for the next game it would be fantastic, but today was my focus and I haven’t really thought about the future,” he said.

“I think that Tomas (Cerny) will be back from injury by that time so I doubt it will happen, but we’ll just wait and see, you never know in football.

“I’ve always wanted to play every week but unfortunately I don’t pick the team! I just keep myself fit and if the gaffer needs me to play then I’m ready.

“It’s getting my mind-set as such that I know that I’m probably not going to play every week, and it’s about getting the other goalkeepers physically and mentally prepared.

“I know though that I’ve got to keep myself sharp because situations like this occur, and I feel that having not played football in so long I did ok, but I don’t think I’ll be able to move tomorrow!

“When Sculls (Ryan Scully) got the red card I knew I‘d probably be playing, so I could get myself prepared. But I train every day as much as I can and if the gaffer requires me then I’m ready to go.

“I’m always fairly fit and I’m naturally quite a fit guy, I was maybe just lacking the sharpness of playing 90 minutes, but I got through it.

“You’ve got to remain professional in your job, and the gaffer has got me in a player/coach role, so I’ve got to be prepared if required, but my main role is getting Tomas and Ryan prepared and they’ve both done very well.

“Tomas has probably been our player of the season so far this year, so the two guys that are ahead of me are doing very well. I got a wee slice of the action today and I’m happy with my performance, even though I’m disappointed in the result.

“The goal we lost was disappointing, we got a bit sloppy and didn’t defend it properly for a split second.”

The benefit of Gallacher’s experience was evident as the Thistle defence that leaked four goals to Hearts last week looked a far more cohesive unit with the seasoned keeper barking out instructions behind them.

Liam Lindsay in particular turned in an assured performance, and he joked after the match that his ears were still ringing from Gallacher’s promptings.

“If he does it right I’ll not shout at him then!” Gallacher laughed.

“No, you’ve got to talk and communicate throughout the game and the big man has done great for us. He’s a talented lad, he’s done fantastically well for us, but we’re all learning.

“I feel as if I’m talking to him throughout the game it’s keeping me focused as well, and I’ve always been a fairly good talker. I was barking a wee bit today and maybe I was trying a wee bit too hard after being out for a while, but if the boys in front do their jobs then it makes my life a lot easier.

“I’d love to get a chance to shout at the defenders again in our next game.”