Partick Thistle face an "impossible" task against Celtic in this weekend's Scottish Cup fourth round.

That's according to midfielder Stuart Bannigan who played the full 90 minutes of their 4-1 defeat at the hands of Dundee United last weekend.

Thistle are not expected to do much against the current holders of the competition. Relentless Celtic have won the last ten trophies available to them domestically and don't look like they are prepared to give up any silverware any time soon.

READ MORE: Partick Thistle edge closer to new signings

Bannigan, 27, is well aware of the uphill task at hand and gave an honest assessment of his side's chances following their demolition at the hands of Lawrence Shankland at Firhill on Saturday.

Asked if the cup tie is an unwanted distraction from their survival challenge, Bannigan replied: "I don't know. We know the task at hand. Celtic have won ten in a row in terms of cup competitions and they're flying. 

"We know it's an impossible job for us, really. We'll still go out there and try to nick a result, and you never know."

Celtic could have new striker Patryk Klimala in their ranks this weekend after the Pole jetted in to Glasgow for talks this morning. The hitman could put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year deal today.

Meanwhile Thistle also hope to bolster their playing squad this week and look to have secured Darian MacKinnon on a permanent transfer from Hamilton. Strikers Zak Rudden and Brian Graham are also poised to join from Rangers and Ross County respectively on a permanent deal in Rudden's case, and a loan spell for Graham.