IAN MURRAY is confident Dumbarton are in fine fettle ahead of the new campaign as they get set to host Premiership Partick Thistle this afternoon.

It has been a productive summer for the Sons boss as he has retained the bulf of the squad that took his side to a fifth-place finish in the Championship and added several star names.

Former St Mirren defender David van Zanten and ex-Jags stopper Lee Mair are the headline signings of the close season so far at the Rock.

After comfortable wins over Vale of Leithen and Edinburgh City, Murray's men lost 3-1 to top-flight newcomers Hamilton Accies in midweek as Jordan Kirkpatrick continued his fine pre-season form with his fourth goal in three games.

The visit of Alan Archibald's side this afternoon will present another stiff test for the Sons but Murray reckons it is one that they are well prepared for as they gear up for their Petrofac Training Cup clash with Stranraer in seven days' time.

He said: "Since the players returned to training last month, we've been working hard to have them ready for the season's competitive kick-off next Saturday.

"The games against Vale of Leithen, Edinburgh City and the closed-door match versus Stenhousemuir served a purpose.

"Tuesday's match at Hamilton Accies helped us get some shape into the players minds and it'll be the same tomorrow when we face the Jags.

"Thistle will give us a decent game and I'm sure everyone will enjoy the day."