Archibald keen to avoid further Heart-break

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald has challenged his players to improve their poor record against Hearts this season.

Thistle have conceded seven goals without reply against Robbie Neilson's side, which is roughly a third of the total they have shipped in the Premiership.

Reversing their fortunes will not be easy as Hearts are unbeaten in nine games, but Archibald wants to see more from his side at Tynecastle on Saturday.

"We need to do a lot better than we have done on previous occasions, we have put in two of our poorest performances against Hearts,'' he said.

"Albeit Hearts are strong and are a good squad, we haven't hit the levels we expect.

"I watched Hearts on Wednesday night and they were very strong in all departments and that was with suspensions and injuries. They are a well-oiled machine and Robbie has got them playing very well but we need to get more from our lads against them.''

Thistle's most recent defeat against the Gorgie side, a 4-0 home loss, was their only setback in a 10-game stretch leading up to New Year's Day.

"We have had two of them, one against Hearts and one against Dundee, when we have been in the middle of a good run and it has been like a bolt from the blue,'' Archibald said.

"The Hearts game, for 35 minutes we were very good, and then Hearts caught us with a sucker punch and we went to bits, which was disappointing because we have been really strong defensively.

"So we need to get both things going at the same time, good defensively because Tynecastle is tough place to go, but also look to hurt Hearts.

"We have got to have a real go because we have not done that in the previous two games.''