Alan Archibald urges Partick to test Aberdeen's title nerves
Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald has urged his players to test Aberdeen's nerve during their rearranged Ladbrokes Premiership clash at Firhill.
The visitors have the chance to move a point behind leaders Celtic on Tuesday and, with so much at stake, Archibald wants his men to put Derek McInnes' team under pressure from the start.
Archibald, whose side lost 1-0 at Tynecastle on Saturday, said: "We had Hearts rattled for a little spell but, against the top teams, you have got to score when you are on top.
"We had a couple of chances and couldn't take them and it would have been interesting to see if we had taken those chances how the game could have gone.
"And hopefully we can take that into Tuesday night. Can we put Aberdeen under pressure? Because they are desperate to stay in touch with Celtic.
"They have been absolutely fantastic and it's great they have the title race going. We have to use that pressure on Aberdeen, if there's any nervousness there can we take advantage of it? Hopefully that is the case.
"We are at the stage of the season where everyone is desperate to win games and you have seen top teams dropping points.
"We are confident but we know how tough it will be, Derek has a great squad there. I watched them last week against Dundee United and they were very, very good."
Aberdeen boss McInnes is not concerned about the possible effects of Celtic's upcoming cup derby as he continues to focus on his own team.
Celtic have a William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers to look forward to in mid-April, but McInnes could not care less that the spotlight has fallen on that match.
"That's going to be the way now for the next month or so until that game is played," he said.
"From our point of view, we have no interest in the game, we are just concentrating on our job.
"We are trying to get momentum and trying to get winning performances, and that is hard enough without looking at anything else.
"Momentum is very important. I think that's the right word. We are just looking to try and get a good head of steam until the end of the season.
"We have shown already this season the ability to get good winning runs. It's important we try and be as positive as we can and look to win the next game and build on the fantastic result and performance against Dundee United. At this stage of the season it's all about results."
Aberdeen are boosted by the return of winger Jonny Hayes following a hamstring injury, after losing Peter Pawlett for two months with a broken arm.
On Hayes, McInnes said: "He is fit, he has been training the last few days. He has trained brilliantly as well. He is fully ready to go and we are delighted to have him back.
"Obviously we were really disappointed for Peter breaking his arm at Tannadice. We were a bit thin on the ground anyway so to have Jonny back is a huge bonus for us."
Source: PAR
