Alan Archibald hopes old boss Craig Levein can be success at Tynecastle
Partick Thistle boss Alan Archibald reckons his old manager Craig Levein is the perfect man to lead Hearts through stormy waters.
Archibald was still on the books at Dundee United when Levein took up the reins at Tannadice in 2006 and saw first hand the attention to detail that eventually took his boss to the Scotland job.
Levein has now returned to management after a three-year spell as the Jambos' director of football and will lead his side to the Energy Match Stadium to face Archibald's team on Saturday.
The Jags boss believes that there is still plenty of quality on offer, despite the Gorgie men's troubled start to the campaign, and says Levein is just the man for the job.
I played under Craig for a spell so I know what he's like and how prepared he will be,'' said Archibald.His planning is always meticulous and so well-organised.
I wasn't surprised to see him back in the dugout. Once you've done the job I don't think it ever leaves you and there's always a desire to get back to it.
He will make Hearts a bit harder to beat. They needed the ship steadied a bit after a turbulent few months. Craig is still a very good manager and he will make them organised first and foremost.
But they have quality players like Jamie Walker too so they have enough craft and guile to make them more than a team that is only hard to beat.
It's been a difficult period for Hearts but most people in football are well aware they still have a very good squad.''
Thistle's wait for a first Ladbrokes Premiership win was prolonged on Friday night when Rangers fought back at Firhill for a 2-2 draw.
The Ibrox men then followed that up with an extra-time win in the Betfred Cup on Tuesday but Archibald wants his side to put their foot down now that they are returning to league duties.
He said: We got a good point up at Ross County and managed to build on that against Rangers on Friday night with another draw.
It was disappointing to lose the cup game against Rangers but the lads had a day off on Wednesday and came back in today (Thursday).
Physically and mentally they weren't as bad as I thought they were going to be and they're in a good place.
We know we haven't done quite enough in recent games. We're an honest group and know that's the case.'