CAMPBELL FIRES WARNING SHOT TO HEARTS

New Partick Thistle manager Dick Campbell has warned Hearts he has no intention of starting his Firhill career with a defeat.

The Thistle hotseat had been occupied by veteran boss John Lambie but he made it clear he did not want to return to the job on a permanent basis and Campbell quickly emerged as the favourite to take over.

He quit Bell's Second Division high-fliers Brechin City earlier this week and the move saw him change his priorities from chasing promotion to avoiding relegation.

Despite being tipped for a quick return to the Bank of Scotland Premier League, Partick find themselves second bottom of the First Division table.

But before Campbell can turn his attention to the club's alarming league position, there is a Tennent's Scottish Cup tie against Hearts to take care of first.

Hearts may be one of the top teams in the country, while Thistle have struggled this season, but Campbell has warned John Robertson's men not to expect any special treatment at Firhill.

He said: "I have never seen an easy game in my life and this one is no different. But it doesn't really matter who we are playing this weekend.

"It is a home game so you want to win no matter who it is - I don't like losing. We will be disappointed if we get beat but we'll give it a go.

"It's a great game for the fans and the players and I would think everyone will be well up for it."

The reign of co-managers Gerry Britton and Derek Whyte saw Partick losing points at a worrying rate before club chiefs took drastic measures.

That meant the young duo were forced to make way for 63-year-old Lambie who returned for his fourth spell in charge of the club.

True to form, he took three points from runaway league leaders Falkirk before holding this season's surprise package St Mirren to a draw in his final game in charge.

Campbell claims he shares a no-nonsense approach with Lambie but insists the players will soon experience his own unique take on football management.

He added: "John is a straight-talking guy and so am I, and I think that's important. But there aren't too many other similarities between the two of us.

"I like to do a lot of coaching and John didn't but it's just down to different management styles.

"You would have to ask the players if you want to know what they think of me so far and this game will give me a chance to see what they're all about.

"I'm confident in everything I do but there is no point being confident if the players aren't."

Campbell has no injury or suspension worries for the cup clash with Hearts.

Taken from sportinglife.com