Alan Archibald is sure that speculation surrounding interest in Partick Thistle midfielder Stevie Lawless won’t affect his player when the teams meet this Saturday at Firhill.

It is hardly unheard of for a team to let such information be known in a timely fashion to unsettle a forthcoming opponent, but regardless of the veracity of the rumours, Archibald is certain that even if United are speaking to his player he won’t be any less committed in this weekend’s crucial encounter between the sides.

He said: “If they are they are. There is nothing we can do about it. We just get on with it.

“It won’t affect Stevie. He will still be in our plans to go and play against United. Nothing will change.

“It works both ways. Players like him might be trying to impress them or to impress us. They might work harder.

“There is very little you can do about it sometimes. I think most managers are in the same position.

“Everybody is talking to other players now. Quite a few are out of contract in the Premier League and that’s where we are.

"We know we have good pros here. Most of our boys have been honest with us. They have let us know their situation and I know what I will get from them on a Saturday. It doesn’t affect us."

One key player who Archibald is hoping will commit his future to Firhill in the near future is captain Abdul Osman.

Osman spoke at the weekend about how happy he is at the club, and his manager is hoping that factors such as contentment can make up for any financial shortfall they may be able to offer compared to rivals for his signature.

“If he’s that happy he can sign!” he joked, "But he enjoys it here.

“Players have to look after themselves financially. The likes of Abdul is at an age now where he has to look after himself if he can.

“We are well aware of that and there may be better offers out there.

“We just have to make sure that, financially, even if we can’t match what’s on offer elsewhere there are others ways we can.”