Callum Booth has described Partick Thistle’s last visit to Tynecastle as his side’s ‘sliding doors’ moment, as the full-back prepares to travel to take on Hearts again this Saturday in their first top-six fixture.

Back in December, Booth was part of a Jags side that went to Edinburgh rooted to the bottom of the table, with Hearts flying high in fourth place and level with Aberdeen in third.

Thistle played brilliantly on the night though, and should have brought more than the single point they managed back to Maryhill.

From that moment on, the Jags have gone on a magnificent run to secure their first top-half finish since 1981, while Hearts have struggled under new boss Ian Cathro.

And Booth is taking confidence from that night as he and his teammates look to get a win on Saturday that would crank up the pressure on the hosts in fifth place.

“That night did feel like a real turning point in our season,” Booth said. “It was a bit of a sliding doors moment, because we just went from strength-to-strength after that, while Hearts have maybe gone the other way.

“We took so much confidence from the way we played, and we definitely felt that we should have won the game on the night. But even without winning, the way we played did so much for our mentality.

“I see no reason why we can’t go there on Saturday and put in a similar performance and come away with the win.

“I think we really need to be taking the three points if we are going to target fifth place. We looked a wee bit leggy at Ibrox in our last game, but that was to be expected I suppose after the exertions of getting to the top six.

“We’ve had that little break now though and we’re feeling fresh and we’re itching to get back into it. We’ll be targeting a win at Tynecastle and then we’ll see where that can take us.

“Hopefully it will be a springboard again for another good run to the end of the season.”

The rest that was afforded to the Premiership teams not involved in the Scottish Cup semi-finals last weekend came at a particularly good time for Booth, who has been struggling with niggling injuries for the majority of the season.

Despite being less than fully fit throughout the campaign though, Booth has still managed to turn in consistently good performances, so much so that he has secured a nomination for the McCrea Financial Services player of the year award.

“I was a little bit surprised to be nominated, if I’m being honest,” Booth said.

“The team have been doing so well, and any one of the guys could have been up for it really.

“I’ve felt like my own form this year has been ok, but I’ve maybe not been at my best because of the injuries I’ve been carrying.

“I was out of the side for a bit there too, and that was fair enough because I had been struggling a bit and the players who came in had been doing well.

“I feel fit and ready now though to make a contribution again, and hopefully I can force my way back into contention.

“I think that any of the other five guys that are up for the award could win it, but if you had to push me then I think that Ryan Edwards has been brilliant for us, and Liam Lindsay has done really well in defence too.

“And you can’t ignore Kris Doolan. People just expect him to get double figures in the Premiership now because he does it every year, but it’s far from easy.

“With him getting his 100th goal for the club as well this season, he would be a more than fitting winner.”

Meanwhile, Thistle utility man Christie Elliott has agreed a two-year contract extension at the club.

The 25-year-old has earned the new deal after a series of impressive performances lately, and he will now stay at the club until the summer of 2019.

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