KRIS APRIL DOOLS’ DAY FOR TON UP
Kris Doolan bagged his 100th goal for Partick Thistle – and immediately started on his next ton by grabbing the winner against Ross County.
The Jags striker made it April Dools’ Day at Firhill as Alan Archibald’s side came from behind to seal a priceless win in their bid for a top-six spot.
Doolan, wearing the captain’s armband after Abdul Osman was injured, cancelled out Craig Curran’s opener for the Staggies with a deadly finish.
That was his 100th for the Firhill club and despite getting a yellow card from killjoy ref Willie Collum, the 30-year-old celebrated with a ‘100 and Counting’ t-shirt.
Doolan didn’t hang around as he latched on to an Adam Barton header to bury his second and make it 101 goals in a Jags shirt.
The striker couldn’t hide his delight – and said even Collum couldn’t spoil his afternoon.
Doolan said: “I was ecstatic to score the 100th goal. It got us back in the game but we couldn’t go too mental – just in case we lost the game!
“I told Willie he could give me the yellow card if he wanted because my shirt was coming off no matter what. I think he understood.
“It hadn’t been weighing on my mind because I knew I’d do it. Scoring goals isn’t really something I worry about.
“The closer I got, it was more excitement. To do it, win the game and cement a place in the top six is massive.
“The t- shirt was 100 and counting and that was the whole point. I didn’t want to get to 100 and stop so it was great to get the 101 in the same game. I’m now on to my next 100 and I’m away again.
“I didn’t make the t- shirt until I hit 99 because I didn’t want to jinx it!
“It means the world to me that I was wearing the armband when I did it.
“It’s a simple thing but it was extra special to get the winner as the captain.
“When I signed I couldn’t envisage scoring 100 goals. That was a long way off.
“People don’t hang around long enough at clubs these days – you’re put out the door before you get the chance.
“To be around for this time and get all those goals, it’s something I’m really proud of.
I’ve scored some memorable goals over the years but those two today are big.”
His strikes were vital to the Jags who are now four points clear of Kilmarnock in the race for the top six.
After a dire first half in Maryhill, County grabbed the lead through a stunning finish from Curran after a Martin Woods cut-back.
But Jim McIntyre’s men – who felt they were denied a penalty in the first half – retreated and Thistle rallied.
Doolan’s turn and finish from a Liam Lindsay flick was fantastic and from then on there looked to be one winner.
When the striker played a clever one-two with Barton on the edge of the box he kept his composure to bury it beyond ex-Thistle keeper Scott Fox and clinch victory.
Ja gs bos s Archibald praised his No. 9, saying: “Kris is fantastic. If any young guy wants to look at a
footballer for guidance, he’s the man. You won’t hear a bad word about him. “Sometimes good guys don’t get the rewards so it’s great to see him get those goals today. He struggles a bit with pace and strength but makes up for it with his touch and quality. “To score that many goals for a team that’s been in the lower end of the table for most of its Premiership life is tremendous. He’s a true professional.” Meanwhile, Ross County gaffer McIntyre congratulated Thistle but bemoaned his side’s luck and lack of firepower. He said: “We had a good chance just before half-time but the way things are going for us – it cracked the bar. “And we should have had a penalty as well, it’s a 100 per cent penalty when Lindsay has given Alex Schalk a tug and spun him. “And the freekick that led to Thistle’s first goal wasn’t a foul so that’s disappointing. “We’re getting into good areas but being wasteful. I can’t fault the boys’ work-rate but I can moan at them for switching off at key times.”