Doolan says Jags are ‘different team now’

Kris Doolan insists Partick Thistle have long since consigned last season’s Dingwall devastation to the past as they prepare for another tilt at the cinch Premiership through the play-offs.

With around 20 minutes of the second leg of the play-off final away to Ross County remaining, the Jags were leading 3-0 on aggregate and heading for promotion.

However, in a remarkable finale, County fought back to salvage a 3-3 draw and retain their top-flight status with a penalty shootout win, to leave the Maryhill side distraught.

Doolan’s side finished third in this campaign – behind champions Dundee United and Raith Rovers – and will travel to face Airdrieonians in the Premiership play-off quarter-final first leg tonight, with the return game on Friday.

“There was a hangover for a week or so afterwards, everybody feels bad, it is a natural thing, but in football if you dwell on things you end up going backwards or you stand still,” said the Thistle boss.

“We went back up to Ross County in the Scottish Cup and battered them.

“This club will not stand still on anything. We deal with it, we moved on.

“We brought players in who are fresh, who weren’t involved in that game and, when we went back in the Scottish Cup, we got rid of all that.

“The team is a different team now so we are in a better position mentally for that reason.”

Airdrieonians midfielder Murray Aiken returned to action in the 2-0 defeat to Queen’s Park at Hampden Park last Friday to make his first appearance since fracturing his ankle in last Halloween’s defeat to Dundee United.

The Hibernian loanee is ready to help the Diamonds’ play-off bid and he told DTV: “The boys have played well all season, but I got some minutes in the legs and, hopefully, I will play some part in the play-offs. The boys are really up for it.”