CHRISTMAS IS CANCELLED, INSISTS DOOLAN

KRIS DOOLAN admits Partick Thistle won’t even consider a Christmas night out this year as the players train all their energies on staying in the Premiership. Alan Archibald’s side are four points adrift at the foot of the Premiership following Saturday’s 5-1 hammering at Kilmarnock, during which the Firhill boss detected a worrying lack of confidence. Squad bonding away from the pitch will not, however, be the answer to putting a spring back in Thistle’s step. With tonight’s home meeting against Motherwell followed by five more games ahead of the winter break, Doolan (left) insists the pursuit of points is the only form of festive cheer interesting the players. ‘The manager was right about Saturday,’ said the 31-year-old striker. ‘When that third goal went in, there was an acceptance of the result and it became easier for Killie to score again. ‘It is difficult to make sure the heads don’t go down because we’re quite a young team. Some people are affected by the negativity and looking at the league table, which isn’t great. ‘But you still have to have characters in the changing room, guys who can put a smile on your face, because you play better when you’re enjoying yourself and relaxed. That enjoyment has to go hand in hand with the hard work, though, so right now we’ve got the bit between our teeth and we’re knuckling down. ‘There won’t be nights out. That just won’t happen. It’s all about business for us. At this stage of the season, the way things are, it just won’t be an option. Our position dictates that it’s all about hard work.’ Archibald, meanwhile, admits life in charge of Thistle has never felt tougher as he closes in on his fifth anniversary in the job. ‘You still feel a result like Saturday’s,’ said the 39-year-old. ‘It maybe even hurts you more. ‘Experience allows you to do deal with it a bit better but it’s still hard to take. You want to shut the door and put your head in an oven, to be honest. ‘But you’ve got to pick yourself back up and the beauty of football is we have another game. We have a chance to put things right and give our fans something to shout about because we let them down on Saturday. ‘Without a doubt, this is the most testing spell I’ve ever had as a manager. I’ve had spells like this before, but not quite as bad. ‘We can’t keep harping on about how we got out of these positions in the past. We’ve given ourselves a mountain to climb. We have another chance against Motherwell so it’s a crucial period.’