PARTICK THISTLE have upset the odds once but few will tip them to complete the double.

After drawing with second-placed Aberdeen on Saturday, the Jags face Premiership leaders Celtic this evening knowing a repeat result will likely ruin a few betting slips and could have ramifications at both ends of the standings.

Despite throwing a spanner in the works at the top of the table at the weekend as they denied the Dons a crucial two points in their efforts to catch Celtic, it is the battle at the bottom that is of greatest concern to Alan Archibald and his players.

Their draw in the North East edged them another step closer to Premiership safety. If they could return across Glasgow to Firhill with something to show for their efforts tonight, they would be on the brink of securing top flight football for a third successive season ahead of their meeting with Motherwell this weekend.

After finally ending their wait for back-to-back league wins with triumphs over St Johnstone and Inverness Caledonian Thistle before the international break, Thistle couldn't have asked for two tougher assignments on the resumption of the domestic schedule. But there is little to lose and nothing to fear as they prepare to face Ronny Deila's side this evening.

"I think [the games] all matter, even though no one expects you to get anything, so it is a bonus," Archibald said. "No one thought we were going to get anything from Pittodrie on Saturday but we put in a real team performance and got a point and could have had three.

"We know we'll need to be at our very best to get something from Celtic Park. Aberdeen was probably the ideal preparation for this game. We'll need everybody working hard again and playing to their very best. If we get chances, we've got to take them."

With three wins and four clean sheets from their last five Premiership fixtures, Thistle head into the Celtic game in fine form and high spirits. Their improvement in results has come at just the right time to keep them at arm's length, if not completely out of reach, from the three-way battle to beat the drop this term.

Thistle have yet to score against Celtic this season and have shipped ten goals as they have lost two Premiership fixtures and a League Cup tie. While Archibald's side are improving, the signs of encouragement have been growing for some time for Deila and his champions-elect.

"They've got a squad who all know their jobs now," Archibald said. "They bring guys in in different positions but they all know what they are doing. We know it will be a tough, tough task.

"I've only spoken to him just after games. But you can see as a club they are going in the right direction - the players, the fans and the staff.

"He was getting a bit of stick early on and I don't think managers like seeing anyone in that position. He's stuck to his guns and it's good to see anyone in your profession doing that. He's getting his rewards now, which is good to see."