PARTICK THISTLE new boy Chris Turner is hoping Jags boss Ian McCall will hand him his first start in the derby clash with Clyde at Broadwood tomorrow.

Turner, who signed a one-year deal for Thistle, scored as a substitute at Livingston last Sunday in the 2-0 ALBA Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat of the toothless Lions.

And, after turning in another impressive display in the midweek closed-door defeat at St Mirren, Turner reckons he now has enough game time under his belt to be pitched in against the Bully Wee.

The 21-year-old said: "Before the game at Livingston I hadn't really played for the best part of three months after suffering a hamstring injury at Morecambe, where I was on trial in May. That was really frustrating as it came at a time when I was desperate to get a club.

"I had a five-week spell at Rangers and although that didn't work out, it has all been for the best with the move to Thistle. It doesn't get much better than scoring on your debut and also getting the run- out at Love Street, so it would be great to get a start at Clyde.

"But I know the team have been doing well and have only lost twice in their first eight games - that makes it hard for the manager to drop anyone. So I will have to be patient."

The former Northern Ireland Under-21 skipper admits that with compatriot Jonny Tuffey in the Thistle ranks, he has had no problems settling in at Firhill.

Turner said: "When Thistle first came in for me, Jonny sold the club to me and he was right in everything he said. The quality in the dressing room has really impressed me and, given that Livingston were the league leaders and we took care of them 2-0 at their place, we have got to take a lot of confidence from that win.

"But I know the club have real ambitions and I want to play a part in realising them."

Turner knows that with the battling Bully Wee having failed to get the better of Thistle last season, Clyde will be playing for pride at Broadwood tomorrow, as well as points.

And he said: "With derby games you can throw the form book out of the window. It is all about winning personal battles all over the park and the right to play your football. The fact Thistle won both the games at Broadwood will mean that Clyde are really fired up for us and it may be a case of weathering the storm early on.

"But we are on a good run right now and winning is a habit and hopefully one we can keep going."

Competition in the Firhill boiler room is intense and Turner knows he is battling it out with Scott Chaplain for the right to partner David Rowson.

Turner said: "To bring success to any club you must have competition for places and there is definitely that in the Thistle squad. But you must have belief in your own ability and I am here to play, week in week out."