Things looking up for Jags as they finish year on a high

PARTICK THISTLE

Doolan 35, Sammon 86

ROSS COUNTY

2

Everything is starting to look rosier for Partick Thistle boss Alan Archibald after his team rounded off 2017 with a win over Ross County which kept them clear of bottom spot.

Goals by Kris Doolan and Conor Sammon made it a third straight home win by Thistle and Archibald is anticipating the return of key personnel after the break. Long-term injuries to key players have hurt Thistle and they suffered two more scares on Saturday, with Miles Storey sustaining a hamstring problem and Martin Woods also limping off.

But Archibald is unlikely to rush into any January business. “We could potentially not sign anybody and get four players back after the window,” he said. “James Penrice is coming back from Livingston, Callum Booth should be back for the first game and Abdul Osman and Dumbuya should come back.”

Andy Mccarthy impressed for Thistle, claiming an assist for Sammon’s late goal, which led to Archibald ruling out a January loan move for the 19-year-old. He said: “We will keep him. We’ve had our fingers burned with James Penrice going out on loan and that came back to bite us.”

Countymanagerowencoyle wants to strengthen his squad and he questioned the mentality of some of his players after going without a win since early November. He said: “There are certain characteristics we will look for to bring in, and there’s no doubt that type will make us a better team in the second half of the season.”