Partick Thistle midfielder Adam Barton can see the benefit of the Premiership split
Partick Thistle midfielder Adam Barton admitted he initially struggled with the concept of a top and bottom six in the Premiership but says he now sees the benefits.
The 26-year-old signed for the Jags last summer from Portsmouth and wondered about the structure of the Scottish top flight.
Barton noted that the split, introduced in the 2000/01 season, normally guarantees four Celtic versus Rangers fixtures albeit there was a four-year absence of Old Firm league games after the Govan club re-emerged at the bottom tier of Scottish football following their financial problems.
The Firhill player also acknowledged that it keeps competition alive further down the league.
Thistle are ahead of all the clubs who have been involved in the relegation battle this season, sitting in sixth place, two points ahead of Kilmarnock with four games before the split, and hoping to secure a top-half finish which guarantees safety.
Ahead of the visit of Ross County on Saturday, Barton said: "It took me a while to get my head around it. Although it is a simple thing to understand, I didn't quite realise why they did it.
"Speaking to a lot of people it is about Celtic and Rangers and more games for those two to play against each other. I don't know but I think that is the reason for it.
"For us, it is almost like a little league and we are at the top of it. That's how I see it.
"We are winning our league and I think that is how most of the players feel about it.
"If it wasn't the case that there was a split we might be a mid-table team that is not fighting for anything.
"I guess that way it is good."
Boss Alan Archibald believes two wins out of the four games before the split will see Thistle into the top six.
After the match against the Staggies, Partick travel to Celtic, host Motherwell and then play Rangers at Ibrox.
Barton said: To be fair that is what we have said in the changing room among ourselves.
"It would be massive for the club if we can do that. But if we do finish top six, it is not holiday mode for us.
"We are still going to keep going and contest against the better teams in the league and see where we are as a squad and obviously for the manager it is a place to see what needs improving next season.
"It might bring the best out of players because there is no pressure on them.
"You might see people try new things and so if we do I think it will be good for the club."