Thistle goal hero Doolan sets his sights on Livi

PARTICK Thistle goal hero Kris Doolan insists their tension-filled 1-0 win at Dundee has set them up for the Ladbrokes Premiership play-off final with Livingston.

The Jags started the day two points ahead of bottom side Ross County but when the Staggies went a goal up at St Johnstone, the Glasgow side were facing automatic relegation.

Doolan came off the bench in the second half at Dens Park to score the winner with his 10th goal of the season.

That was his 114th strike for the Jags and saw him become the first Thistle player to reach double figures in eight consecutive seasons.

Thistle, who drew 1-1 with Livingston in the Betfred League Cup on the opening day of the season before losing on penalties, will travel to the Tony Macaroni Arena on Thursday before the second leg in Glasgow on Sunday.

Doolan believes they will go into the first game with momentum.

He said: “We played Livi at the start of the season and they have stuck to their guns most of the season and, obviously, have a way of playing that suits the players that are there.

“So, fair play to them, they have had a terrific season but coming off Saturday’s game we now have momentum behind us and that is the big thing.

“If you’d seen the changing-room (on Saturday) it was completely different to the one last week. There is more confidence that we can do it.

“It is all about what we do with the ball and if we have the ball they can’t score.

“It is a home and away tie and anything can happen but Dundee was a big shot in the arm for us.”

United chairman Mike Martin.