Partick Thistle full-back Callum Booth is warning against complacency ahead of the Firhill side’s Betfred Cup campaign, warning his teammates that they have to hit the ground running.

The Jags have been handed a tough group, kicking off the competitive season with a trip to face Livingston on July 15th, before facing St Mirren at home, Airdrie away and welcoming Stranraer to Maryhill.

Booth is hoping though that the short summer break can allow the Thistle players to regain their match-sharpness quickly and avoid a potential shock exit from the tournament.

“Every year the break is getting shorter and shorter, especially with the new cup format, but we had a month off as well as the week in January so I can’t complain too much,” Booth told Jagzone.

“It’s good to be back and we’ve been put through our paces, it’s been tough.

“[Our Betfred Cup group] is probably as tough as it could be. There’s three full-time teams in there and no League Two teams either, so it’s going to be really tough.

“St Mirren will be going for the Championship title this season I’m sure, Livingston have that momentum having just come up, and Airdrie are full-time as well.

“Stranraer are there too, and that’s where I was born, so I can’t forget about them as well! It’s definitely going to be a really tough group, and we’ll have to be at it right away.

“You probably lose your sharpness within a week. Even when you’ve only been out injured for a week then it takes a day or two to get back into the swing of things, so you definitely lose it a little having a month off.

“I think all of the boys, especially in this day and age, keep themselves ticking over and even go a few runs if they are away on holiday to keep themselves going.

“But nothing can really prepare you for pre-season when you come back, it’s always a really tough couple of weeks. You have to get it in the bank though and take it from there.”

Thistle have started the last two seasons poorly in the league, but Booth is hoping that the continuity within the squad as well as their shortening injury list can help them avoid a slow start this time around.

“We were just saying on the training pitch there that it’s only Gary Fraser that is out injured just now, and hopefully he’s on the mend and coming back soon,” he said.

“I was talking to Ade Azeez about when we played Bath last pre-season and there was nine or 10 boys up in the stand injured, so luckily this season so far we’re not carrying too many injuries.

“It’s definitely good to see most of the team back. We did well last season, so it’s good that most of the team is still here.

“It’s always nice to get some new faces in and some new signings in too, and I’m sure there will be a few more to come.”

One man who hasn’t reported back of course is defender Liam Lindsay, who signed for Barnsley last week, and Booth says there is no doubt the 21-year-old will be missed.

“I’ve absolutely loved playing with him over the last couple of years,” said Booth.

“In his debut season you could see he had great potential, he was just unfortunate that he made a few mistakes that led to red cards or goals.

“But last season he was absolutely outstanding, and I can’t think of any mistakes heh made at all. He was absolutely brilliant and it was great to play alongside him.

“I think he’s definitely got a big future, and everyone wishes him the best. He was a nice big guy, so hopefully he does well down there.”