Brian Graham insists that the cinch Championship title remains within Partick Thistle’s grasp after the Jags secured a 3-1 win at Dens Park on Tuesday night.
The 35-year-old scored either side of half-time from a Thistle corner – the first fell to the feet of Harry Milne, who set up Graham to slot home, and the second came via a flick-on from Connor McAvoy that the striker nodded in at the back post – and although Dundee briefly threatened a comeback when Jordan McGhee bundled home to make it 2-1 with 15 minutes to go, the victory for the visitors was secured when Milne restored his side’s two-goal lead within a minute.
The result leaves Thistle in fifth, tied on 40 points with Ayr United and Greenock Morton. But with seven points separating the top five, Graham is adamant that it is all to play for in the title race with 10 games to go.
“It was a team effort from the get-go, we worked our socks off to stop them from playing,” Graham said. “The midfield and defence were getting the second balls and then we were trying to counter.
“The game plan worked to a tee and to come to Dens and win 3-1 is a great night.
“I am delighted to score a goal in each half and we showed our character again. When they scored to make it 2-1 you think the pressure will be on. But Harry played a one-two with Aidan Fitzpatrick and he scored to kill the game.
“It’s a great three points, it’s three tough away games and we have taken seven points from nine. Now we have to look to take another three against Raith on Saturday.
“We are back in the play-off mix but we never thought we were out of it. I am not giving up hopes of the title as this league is mental and there’s no way you can give up.
“I have firm belief we can go and do it but we know it will be a big ask. I’m not deluded in that fact but we have a good enough squad. We have to keep churning away but we know we can do it.
He added: “There are no easy games in this league, we know that. I understand what has happened when we lost to Cove and Hamilton but it can happen in this league.
“It is crazy at times but we have a bit of momentum and we have to keep kicking on and believing in ourselves.”
The midweek win was Kris Doolan’s third game as interim manager of the Jags and the fans’ favourite has now collected seven points out of an available nine from three tricky away days. A decision is still to be made by the club board on the 36-year-old’s long-term future in the dugout but he has certainly managed to steady the ship in the wake of Ian McCall’s departure after the 3-2 defeat to Rangers in the Scottish Cup last month.
It has been a case of all hands on deck since McCall and his assistants, Neil Scally and Alan Archibald, departed Firhill as Graham knows only too well. Doolan and academy director Paul McDonald have stepped up from their duties from the youth set-up and the players have been getting on with the day job, he says – and the striker has been pitching in other ways, too.
“Kris hasn’t had to change too much to be honest,” Graham, who manages the club’s women’s side, said. “In the first week he had to steady the ship but for us as players it didn’t need to be steadied.
“We played well at Ibrox but the club made the decision and Kris is interim and he is doing well. We haven’t lost in three games under him.
“We have to focus on the whole club, that’s what it is about. We have to stay together and keep fighting. It’s not up to us when a decision is made [to sack the manager], as players we have to concentrate on the football.”
He continued: “I was suspended for Kris’ first game and he asked me to take notes from the stand and I passed a few on at half-time.
“Even against Arbroath I was on the bench and he asked me to see how Arbroath set up. I am willing to help, I am an older pro and if Kris needs my help I am here for him.”
