Al: Jagged edge back for cup tie kick-off...

ALAN ARCHIBALD reckons the return of competitive action will help bring out the best in his Partick Thistle side this summer.

The Jags rounded off their pre-season schedule with a 2-1 defeat to Dumbarton on Tuesday as a number of academy graduates were given a taste of firstteam action.

Thistle open their Betfred Cup campaign against Livingston this weekend and will also face St Mirren, Airdrie and Stranraer before the Premiership kick-off.

And boss Archibald is satisfied with his side’s preparations as he looks to hit the ground running this term.

He said: “It was more about Saturday. It was more a training session in terms of the numbers.

“The fitness is coming along well and we are looking good. We just want the real football to start.

“You can see that in the friendly games they make decisions and play certain passes that they wouldn’t in a real game.

“We saw that slackness on Tuesday night so hopefully we can iron that out before Saturday.

“It will be a really tough game. We have probably got the hardest group. We have got three full-time teams and Stranraer, who are a good side as well. It will be a real test.

“We started well last year but it didn’t serve us any purpose [going into the Premiership].

“Obviously we want to get a good start and we want a run in the cup. It is important financially as well as building a bit of momentum for the league.”