Archibald backs Beattie to hold best intentions

admits that the managerial bug is starting to bite him once more, although he has kept his eye in by doing some scouting.

The hiatus has given him time to reflect upon the end of his Firhill reign, and while he isn’t without regret, he now feels ready to step back into the breech once more.

“I should have left in the summer [after being relegated], but I was advised to stay on,” he said. “The club was going through so much change at the time. I stayed for the sake of staying when I should have made a clean break. I feel totally refreshed now and I’m keen to get back into it.”

Archibald was stunned by the nature of the departure of some of his former players from Firhill in the months after his sacking, so he was only too happy to pay tribute to one of them in particular as he spoke ahead of Kris Doolan’s testimonial this Sunday.

“I used to use Kris as a role-model for all the young guys, anyone who broke through into the team,” he said.

“They buy the football boots, the toilet bag with the name and picture on it and all that, so we used to say to them to look at role models like Kris and Chris Erskine.

“Guys like that are still playing into their 30s, not a lot of injuries, in the gym every morning – that was the type of role model you want.”

Defender Dario Del Fabro admits he is hoping to follow in compatriot Manuel Pascali’s footsteps by becoming a favourite at Rugby Park.

The defender joined the Ayrshire outfit on loan from Juventus last month and the Italian is already well aware of the impact fellow centre-half Pascali made during his sevenyear spell in Scotland.

Del Fabro, who made a solid debut in the August 31 victory at St Johnstone, said: “I’ve met Manuel Pascali because I played in Serie B and I played against him when he was at Cittadella.

“He is a really good player, I know him and maybe I’ll call him for a chat about Kilmarnock.

“I know he is a legend here and I’m glad one Italian has made a small bit of history at Kilmarnock.”

Tom James is set to make his comeback from injury against Kilmarnock after emerging unscathed from a bounce match with Rangers yesterday.

The sides played out a 2-2 draw, with late goals from Rangers kids Jamie Barjonas and Nathan Young-Coombes cancelling out strikes by Jamie Gullan and Josh Doig.

If David Beattie has got back involved, he wouldn’t have done so unless he had to. He’s only ever had the club at heart