Partick Thistle marksman Kris Doolan ready to fight for his place

Nov 25 2009 By Fraser Wilson

Kris Doolan

KRIS DOOLAN can't hide the frustration he feels over a lack of first team action at Partick Thistle recently.

But the 22-year-old marksman isn't interested in loan deals or moving away from Firhill to find regular football - he is determined to fight to win back his Thistle shirt.

Doolan hasn't started a first team fixture since August and has slipped down the pecking order since the arrival of Steve Lovell on a short term deal last month.

It's been a hard reminder of the quality the former junior international striker is up against in his bid to hold down a first team place.

Yet the wiry frontman has never let the side down when he has featured. He got his Jags career off to a flier after signing last January and struck five goals in 15 appearances before the end of the season.

But the honest Ayrshireman knows he has a fight on his hands to convince Jags boss Ian McCall he deserves a starting place on a Saturday.

Doolan admitted: "I would be daft to say I'm not disappointed at being left out but all I can do is keep chapping at the door to get back in the side and make sure I'm ready when the chance comes.

"I have not played as much as I would have liked this season and it can be frustrating but football can turn quite quickly. I just have to be patient and not change what I'm doing.

"The manager has told me I'm not being left out because I'm doing anything wrong. He said it's simply due to circumstances as we have a strong team now and I will have to fight for my place.

"I know I have got that fight in me and hopefully the chance will come along soon."

Ex-Aberdeen and Falkirk striker Lovell's arrival last month had many Jags followers wondering where that left Firhill favourite Doolan.

It was suggested the ex-Auchinleck Talbot hitman might benefit from a spell on loan at a lower league club.

But the striker has no notion of going down that road.

"To be honest I would rather stay at Thistle and fight for my place," he said.

"I believe I have got the tools to get in the team and score goals and I just have to wait for my chance.

"This is where I want to play my football."

Thistle were out of action at the weekend but welcome Inverness to Firhill this Saturday with Terry Butcher's side hurting from their ALBA Cup final defeat to Dundee on Sunday.

Doolan says his team mates are wary about facing the wounded Caley Jags.

"You never know how they are going to react to Sunday's defeat," he said.

"They certainly have some good players and I think Richie Foran is a big player for them so we will have to be on our toes defensively.

"We just have to make sure we are ready and come out of the traps flying. It's important we pick up three points."