But the SPL leaders hit back immediately with Kris Boyd earning Gers a replay at Firhill.

Now Gray is desperate to extend his loan deal which is due to end at the weekend.

Thistle boss Ian McCall looked to have failed to secure his bid to keep him at the Firhill.

The 19-year-old is expected to return to Easter Road after Saturday's match against St Johnstone, despite providing much needed fire power to the Thistle squad in the absence of long-term injury victim Liam Buchanan.

McCall had hoped he would be able to keep Gray, who scored three goals in his first two starts, long enough to pair him up front with top scorer Buchanan, who is expected to be playing soon if he recovers fully from a persistant groin injury.

McCall said: "I would like to keep him but SPL rules will not allow that to happen and he will be going back to his own club Hibernian."

Saturday's opponents Saints, who currently hold third spot in the league, won the last fixture 2-0 when the sides met at McDiarmid Park back in January.

The Perth side will also be full of confidence after their 3-0 Scottish Cup win over SPL side St Mirren on Tuesday night.

McCall said: "The last time we played St Johnstone we did well against them but they still won 2-0.

"We will do our best on Saturday but it is not going to be an easy game."

McCall admitted that there is still no word as to when the game against
Stirling Albion, which was postponed last Tuesday due to a waterlogged Firhill pitch, will be rescheduled.