The quarter-final tie at Ibrox produced a 1-1 result with goals from on-loan Hibs youngster Damon Gray and Gers striker Kris Boyd, and now the teams will go head to head to try and win a spot in the semi-finals against St Johnstone on Sunday, April 20, at Hampden Park.

McCall said: "We are all looking forward to the game and we are happy that Firhill is almost a sell-out.

"Any good teams need fans and the support this year has been fantastic. The players will go out on Sunday to play their best and they will enjoy the experience they are getting from the game."

McCall, however, is taking no chances against the SPL leaders, and rested most of his team during the 1-0 win against Stirling Albion on Tuesday.

Key players missing in this league game included Gary Harkins, David Rowson, Scott Chaplain, Mark Roberts, Marc Twaddle and Willie Kinniburgh – giving McCall a full strength squad against Walter Smith's confident side.

Thistle's defeat by Dunfermline on Saturday was their first loss in eight league games and McCall said: "We were knackered on Saturday and we got beat – nobody played well at all."

Another blow to the squad is the loss of team captain Alan Archibald who will be out for the rest of the season alongside long-term injury victim Liam Buchanan.

The popular defender had a scan on Monday which confirmed he has suffered a cruciate ligament injury and he will now be out for six to eight months.

As the season creeps closer to an end, the Jags are still hoping to improve their league position and their next chance will be against Queen of the South at Palmerston next Wednesday — but for now all focus is on Sunday's Cup replay.

The quarter-final looks like being a sell-out and kick off is 3pm.