Stephen O’Donnell no time to feel sympathy for Hearts

Alan Archibald’s newly-promoted team started life in the Scottish Premiership with an encouraging goalless draw against Dundee United at Firhill last Friday night.

The point ultimately took them 16 clear of the beleaguered Gorgie club who started the season on minus 15 points, a registration embargo after going into administration and defeat at St Johnstone.

However, ahead of the trip to Ross County today, the Firhill right-back, 21, said: “We can’t get too caught up in that. We want to look above us and not behind us. We should look at it as one point gained just now and keep pushing.

“If we keep playing like we did against United, I’m sure we won’t be worried about the bottom but we will have to wait and see.”

Meanwhile, Ross County manager Derek Adams is wary of Thistle’s winning mentality as the First Division champions arrive at the Global Energy Stadium. He said: “Any promoted side when they are coming have that advantage of being on a winning run, and they look to try to win every game.

“We went into last season on a long unbeaten run and kept that going for a while when we came up.”

“We had a magnificent season last season finishing in fifth position,” Adams said. “Partick will be the same as us last season, wanting to stay in the Premier League.”