PARTICK Thistle's teenage defender, Andy Wilkinson, is still re-Coyling from a brush with Airdrie's ace hitman.
And he has certain that Saturday's torrid head-to-head with master striker Owen Coyle will help make develop into a better player.
Wilkinson slotted into central defence after Andy Dowie's suspension, but admitted the crafty Coyle gave him a real education in the keenly contested 3-2 win over Diamonds.
The 19-year-old said: "It was a real learning experience. Owen Coyle scored two great headers and maybe I was to blame for one of them, but, when that happens, you've got to hold your hands up and get on with it.
"The gaffers had warned me about Owen before the game and he certainly is a crafty striker.
"But, at 19, the only way I am going to improve and learn the game is by playing against guys like Coyle. I certainly feel I learned from it.
"I am a strong character and there is no way I am going to let it get to me. I have taken the positives and moved on to the next one against Hamilton."
Despite an outstanding pre-season, the defender - known as The Rash - has had had to look on from the bench.
However, the young English-man was finally given his first start against Airdrie.
Although the guile of Coyle made life difficult early on, it was the Airdrie legend who felt the steel in Wilkinson's tackles after the break.
The defender said: "When you have been on the bench for the first two competitive games, you are desperate to get on and do well. Maybe, from that point of view, I was trying a wee bit too hard, but I enjoyed the game and there was a great atmosphere at Firhill."
The Rash reckons the physical side of the game in Scotland is no more severe than in the Championship south of the border.
"The English First Division was a very physical league so that doesn't bother me. In fact, I enjoy it!
"Now we face a tricky game at Hamilton on their artificial surface, and must make sure we take something from that one."
Meanwhile, Adrian Madaschi is determined to make the Olympic quarter-finals by helping Australia beat tournament favourites Argentina tonight.
The 21-year-old said: "We got a great lift from the win over Serbia and Montenegro on Saturday and it has fired us all up for Argentina.
"It will be tough, but we have the quality to give them a run for their money."
Evening Times