PAUL Gallacher took in the Dundee derby match after Partick Thistle's game with Celtic was postponed on New Year's Day.

The Thistle keeper, who will square up to the Dundee United attack in an SPFL Premiership match at Firhill today, was soon regretting his decision, however.

He watched as Jackie McNamara's side ran riot at Tannadice and netted six times against their city rivals for the first time in the history of the fixture.

It was a nightmare for German keeper Arvid Schenk, who was drafted into the Dundee first team during the warm-up and endured a horrendous debut.

Gallacher said: "United did fantastically well in what was a massive game for them. They played really well and scored some decent goals.

"We know they are threat, with a lot of quality forward players and that showed against Dundee."

Yet Gallacher, who started his career at United, is looking forward to testing himself against his former club's feted frontline this afternoon and is confident Thistle can get a result.

He said: "It's going to be a tough game for us, but we're looking forward to it. We're aware of their threats and you see it when you watch them.

"There are several players we need to look out for, but hopefully our good players and our front players can turn it on and get a result.

"They're well organised and have players who can create a bit of magic and ultimately score goals so it's something we know they're capable of.

"But it did all seem to come right for them on the day in a derby match, making it a bit more special for them."

The 35-year-old feels the youthful United side can, for all their undoubted talent, lack consistency and is hoping they fail to reproduce the sort of form they showed at home on Thursday.

He said: "United have not always followed up those performances in the past and we're hoping that inconsistency creeps in again.

"They've had a great result and performance so hopefully with ourselves missing the game we're champing at the bit to get out there and produce our best display."