Archibald looking to build on positive start

Partick boss Alan Archibald says his side could hardly be more confident as they look to take the next step towards a coveted cup run against Dundee United at Tannadice on Tuesday night.

The Jags had to wait until the 11th game of last season before tasting victory, but four Betfred Cup wins at the start of this campaign were followed by a 2-0 Ladbrokes Premiership home win over Inverness on Saturday.

Ahead of the last-16 tie against the Championship side - relegated last term - Archibald said: "We were conscious of that before the start of the season. We wanted to get a good run.

"We had a terrible start last year and that included the league and cup, so we wanted to win every game in the section to make sure we got seeded in the group.

"We've done that and we took that form into the league so we are delighted and it gives us a platform to go to a tough place to get a victory in the last 16.

"Everyone still sees United as a Premiership team. So it will be a tough, tough place to go and get a victory.

"We haven't done it in the cup for a long time but we won there a couple of times in the league last year so the confidence is there to go and do it.''

Midfielder Chris Erskine is in his third spell at Firhill after leaving United at the end of the season.

He admitted his time on Tayside was a disappointment, but places no great importance on his return.

"I don't think it is any different to any other game,'' the 29-year-old said.

"We want to go and win it and it would be the same with any other team.

"I have no issues with it at all. I would have liked my time at United to have gone better if I am honest.

"I don't think I got to the heights I wanted to get to and never really played the kind of football I wanted to play and overall. It was a pretty disappointing spell in my career.

"The second year I had a good year but the two other years were disappointing for me. I wish it had gone a bit better.

"I have no worries about returning and hopefully we go through.''