PARTICK V ABERDEEN
When the full-time whistle blows at Firhill today Kris Doolan’s only thoughts should involve beer and a sun lounger.
A relaxing break ought to be his reward for a terrif ic season both personally and for Partick Thistle.
Not only did the Jags finish in the Premiership’s top six for the first time, Doolan notched his 100th goal for the Maryhill club before surpassing that landmark on the same afternoon.
But while the 30-year-old is looking forward to a rest, he already has his mind on next season and how he and his club can better those achievements.
It might not be what Mrs Doolan wants to hear as they prepare for their summer holiday but the striker insists his upbringing and route into the game means he’ll never rest on his laurels.
As he prepared for today’s final-day clash with Aberdeen, Doolan told
“When I go away in the summer I’m the type who’ll sit down and think about the season.
“It’s a long campaign but that gives you the chance to take a few notes on where you can improve.
“Nobody’s perfect – I want to get better. On holiday I’ll think back to games or moments I can think of where I can do better so when I come back for pre- season I’m ready to go again in terms of my performances and goal return.
“My missus is fed up with me talking about football but that’s my attitude and it’s because of the way I was brought up. I want to squeeze every last ounce out of my career.
“The attitude you attitude on Thistle’s young players. The likes of Liam Lindsay – who has been linked with a big move away from Firhill – and striker Kevin Nisbet could do worse than listen to his advice.
The frontman, who arrived at Partick through the junior football ranks, said: “I try to pass what I can on to the younger boys.
“It’s real ly important because talent can only take you so far. “Every player here has talent but it’s that extra bit of commitment that can take you a long way in football.
“Loads of players have abi l ity and don’t make the grade. The d i f ferenc e can be their attitude.
“The likes of Liam and Kevin are showing a lot of promise but I’ll be the first to try to help them progress in their careers. “I played with loads of guys in junior football who had talent but didn’t have the right attitude. That’s just life. “P e opl e get to a