I'd Love it if we beat them says Thistle boss Graeme

After bouncing back from a home defeat to Lochee United a fortnight ago with wins over both Kelty and Bonnyrigg, Love's men are third in the table, just behind Newtongrange on goal difference.

They are 16 points behind Bo'ness but have three games in hand and Love is well aware of just how important tomorrow's meeting of the two West Lothian sides is to Bathgate.

A win would give them a realistic chance of catching Alan McGonigal's men but a defeat means that Bathgate would be ruled out of the race as they could only then get 44 points – one short of what Bo'ness will be on if they are victorious this weekend.

"We know exactly what we need to do to put some pressure on Bo'ness," said former Hibs player Love.

"If we want to win the title this season, we have to take three points from this game.

"If we do so, it could be a classic six-point feeling as we'd believe we are very much in the race."

No matter what happens over the final few weeks of the season, Bathgate have experienced quite a transformation in Love's first season in charge. Last term they went right to the wire before securing their place in the top flight and, not surprisingly, the manager is delighted with the response he's received from virtually the same squad of players.

"The contrast to where we were this time last season is quite substantial and that is not meant as a criticism of either Paul Jack or Willie Hill in any way," he added.

"To be honest, the team – and that included myself – under-achieved last season and the fact we came close to being relegated was maybe a kick up the backside for everyone.

"It wasn't acceptable for a club like Bathgate and I think the players realised that themselves. It is pleasing for me that I've got the right reaction since taking over as manager and we still have a lot to play for between now and the end of the season."

That was a reference to the fact Bathgate are still in both the East of Scotland Cup and the Fife & Lothians Cup but, for the moment, Love is concentrating solely on the Super League.

He's still receiving flak for agreeing to play against Lochee when both Jim Lister and Graeme McLaren were away with Scotland Juniors but is standing by that decision.

"Even in the pub last Saturday a fan was giving me a bit of a roasting over that but I agreed to play the game due to the fact we still have so many matches to play and I stick by that decision," he said.

"Even without Jim and Graeme, we still should have won that game and I'm confident that everyone who was there that day would agree.

"That's in the past, though, and what matters most now is how we fare against Bo'ness. They've bounced back well from any setback so far this season and that was the first thing I thought about when I saw they'd lost to Oakley in a Cup game on Wednesday night.

"That won't matter tomorrow and neither will our win over them in the Scottish Cup earlier in the season. There was little between the teams that day and I'm sure it will be the same on this occasion."

Since taking over from Paul Jack, Love has only added a handful of new faces.

"Alex Lurinsky came from Whitburn at the start of the campaign, Martin Jack was signed on loan from Stranraer and Stephen Payne was added to the squad after returning from Australia.

"One of the most pleasing things for me this season is that I have had no problems whatsoever with the players," said the manager.

"We are all singing from the same hymn sheet and, if the guys can keep putting in the same workrate and effort, then I am confident we can have a strong finish to the season."

Elsewhere tomorrow, on-form Whitburn will be aiming to chalk up a fourth-straight Super League when they travel to Linlithgow.

Newtongrange will be out to return to winning ways at home to Hill of Beath and Musselburgh are away to Lochee.

In the Premier Division, Penicuik can continue their climb up the table if they win at St Andrews United while mid-table Arniston Rangers are at home to Tayport.

Tranent's midweek defeat at home to Dalkeith has thrown the South Division title race right back into the melting pot. Tomorrow, Brian Johnston's men will be hoping to bounce back with a win when they entertain bottom-of-the table Livingston, while Broxburn, who are three points behind but have two games in hand, are also at home, against Haddington.