Doolan says reaching semi-final can kick-start season for wilting Thistle

Kris Doolan believes Partick Thistle can reignite their troublesome season by reaching only their fourth Scottish Cup semi-final since the war when they face Hearts at Firhill tonight.

It has been a torturous 18 months for Doolan, who has been ten years in Maryhill, as Thistle have found life in the Championship difficult to cope with since last season’s capitulation and relegation by virtue of a play-off defeat by Livingston.

In tandem, Doolan’s goals have dried up. He has only managed eight league strikes in these 18 months having netted 14 in each of the previous two seasons in the Premiership.

The blame for this can certainly not be laid solely at his door as those around him have not been good enough.

There was a mini revival after new year but consecutive defeats by Ross County and Dunfermline have plunged Partick back to the foot of the table.

Doolan feels the tonic of winning through to play in a major occasion at Hampden would change everything,

The striker said: “It’s been really tough, there is no getting away from that. It has been a

difficult 18 months with the decline in the club.

“It has been hard to watch but we do know we can get back there. That has to be the mindset. That has to be the aim. We were in the top six a couple of years ago.

“It has not been good enough. I know that personally. It typifies the way we have been as a team over the past 18 months.

“I can put my hand up and say it’s not been good enough. But I will still be in there every time the ball comes