Thistle all too well aware of the threat County pose

Partick Thistle host Ross County in the last 16 of the Betfred Cup today and the Firhill management duo of Gary Caldwell and assistant Brian Kerr went on a spying trip to prepare for their Premiership opponents but they did not learn anything new.

Kerr said: “We took in County’s goalless game last Saturday against Hearts and they played well and could have won. How strong they are was not a surprise as we faced them three times in the Championship after we came in last season and they impressed in every game.

“In the first game we were the best side in the first half [but] could not make a breakthrough. In the second half they took over and created a few chances before winning 2-0.

“In the second game we were two goals up at halftime but again they took over in the second. They ended up winning 4-2, which was really disappointing.

“The final game was a goalless draw and that was achieved as we played at a high standard for the 90 minutes. To do anything in this game we need to play for the full game. We are at home with the chance of going through to a quarterfinal so we will give it everything that we have.”

County co-manager Steven Ferguson insists there is no reason why history cannot repeat itself as the Staggies target another historic Hampden moment.

Jim Mcintyre was in charge of the Dingwall outfit in 2016 when they stunned Hibernian in the Leaguecupfinaltolifttheir first major trophy.

And Ferguson is refusing to rule his side out of the chase for glory this year. However, he has told his team to take care of the Jags first before they start dreaming of a walk up the Hampden steps.

“Having won it a few seasons ago does show that it is achievable, but we can’t get in to that mindset at this stage,” he told the club’s website.