Not considered as promotion candidates after coming up from the Second Division, John Lambie's men staged a two-way battle with Airdrie before seeing off that challenge with a few weeks of the season remaining.

Their aim now will be to prove SPL chief executive Roger Mitchell wrong - he famously announced that anyone who believed Thistle could survive in the league must be dope-smokers.

Promising youngsters like Ricky Waddell and Ian Morris from Falkirk and Kenny Milne from Hearts have also been added.

Considering the club almost went bust a few years ago, and they were playing Second Division football just two seasons ago, they will surely be content just to survive this year.

Without the financial wherewithal that helped Livingston surprise the rest of the SPL last season, third place is an unlikely destination, but Thistle should not be underestimated.