Archibald staying is a delight for Doolan

KRIS DOOLAN believes Alan Archibald’s renewed commitment to Partick Thistle can be the catalyst to a change in fortune for the Maryhill side. Archibald was the subject of an inquiry by English League One side Shrewsbury Town in midweek but, with the Jags without a win since the opening day of the season, their manager made it clear he has work to do at Firhill and the Shrews are now chasing Grimsby’s Paul Hurst. Doolan says that was music to the ears of everyone as most of the players have stuck with Thistle simply because Archibald is boss. The 29-year-old striker, without a goal in 11 games, said: ‘He is building something here and that is why we are all here. ‘The players are signing longer contracts and are wanting to stay beyond their current deals and that shows you the direction the club is heading in. ‘It is great to hear the manager say that he has unfinished business here as that is the way he would definitely look at it. He knows what he wants to achieve.’ Doolan is not surprised that other clubs are taking notice of Archibald’s efforts, but he knows that Thistle need to start climbing the table. They have the opportunity today against a Ross County side who have lost form badly in recent weeks, failing to win any of their last six matches. Thistle’s lack of wins has coincided with the longest dry run Doolan has been on in three years, when he went 14 games without a goal. He would relish ending the run against former Firhill keeper Scott Fox today. He said: ‘I have scored enough goals to know that dry runs happen. You have to keep getting in the areas and being in the mix. ‘Scott is a really good goalie and he is a good friend of mine — but I put plenty past him in training when he was here.’