Archibald Eyeing Important Well Win

Photo by Jeff Holmes Partick Thistle boss Alan Archibald admits he would swap a win over Celtic for three points against fellow relegation battlers Motherwell at the weekend. Ninth-placed Jags are seven points ahead of the second-bottom Fir Park side, who will fancy their chances of reducing that deficit when they host Scottish Premiership basement side St Mirren on Tuesday night. Asked if the visit of the chasing Steelmen on Saturday was the more important of this week's two fixtures, Archibald said: "Yes it is. I don't think you can lie. I think it is more important. "If we are going to pick three points from either game, we would take three against Motherwell. "But this game against Celtic is up first and if we can take anything from it, it's a bonus. "But we know that Motherwell will be the bigger game for us." Archibald believes the goalless draw against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday - which means the Firhill side have lost only one in five after five straight defeats - was ideal preparation for the match against the league leaders. The former Thistle defender said: "It might be a good point and see us staying in this league and it looks as if it will set us up nicely for the Celtic game. "It will be a similar type of game. Celtic will have more of the ball so we will need the same work ethic. "The only difference is we have to take our chances because you don't get too many against them. "We need to start well. The last time we went there, we lost 1-0 to a set-play which was disappointing. "We know what we need to do to beat them but we will have to be at our very best. "We have been very good of late in terms of performances and results and it is good time to find a bit of good form. "It is in our own hands where we finish in the league and that is all we ask for. "The belief has always been there. We had a bad run of perform but hopefully we have turned it around at the right time. "We will need team spirit and work ethic to get a result at Parkhead and in the remaining games."