Four years ago, Kris Doolan didn’t know what to do with himself after his decade-long stay at Partick Thistle was brought to an abrupt end. A card-carrying supporter of the Glasgow club, he hadn’t truly envisaged life after the Jags when it was thrust upon him unexpectedly. He had his heart set on a coaching career after he decided to hang up his boots – and, given the cult hero status the former striker enjoys at Firhill, a stint as Thistle manager somewhere down the line has felt written in the stars.
That dream, held by Doolan and supporters alike, has been edging tantalisingly close in recent weeks. After Ian McCall and his assistants were relieved of their duties in the wake of last month’s 3-2 defeat to Rangers in the Scottish Cup, the former striker was given the gig on an interim basis. Seven points gained from three tricky away days – including, most recently, a 3-1 win at Dens Park on Tuesday night – has been enough to convince the club board to put their faith in Doolan.
The 36-year-old was officially unveiled as the Maryhill outfit’s permanent manager yesterday, much to the delight of supporters. It is a day that many predicted would eventually arrive and when it finally came, the response was overwhelmingly positive – but the man himself is keen to avoid the spotlight.
“I suppose anyone stepping into management for the first time pinches themselves but the last three games have well and truly went better than everybody expected,” Doolan said. “Now it is about pushing from now until the end of the season in that same manner.
“It’s not about me and I said that to the players: it’s about players. People turn up to see players, not whoever is in the dugout. We just give them the best help we possibly can and I will give them everything I can possibly bring to help. In the last three games we have had a fantastic response to that and it will be more of the same hopefully.
“I thoroughly enjoyed working with the under-18s, it was what I was brought in to do. I will do anything to help Partick Thistle, whatever I am asked to do I will help in any way, shape or form. I gave the under-18s everything – the same way I treat the first-team players with respect, I treated the under-18s with respect and I continue to do so. But no, I didn’t see it coming!
“To be honest there was no hesitation. The last three games have shown – you just have to look at the effort, the results and the way the club is just now. For me there was nothing but pride. When you are offered an opportunity like this I don’t think you should turn it down: just give it your all. As a fan of the club I only want to see Partick Thistle do well and if I can lead that then 100 per cent I will.”
Doolan has signed a permanent contract at Firhill with no fixed term, as is standard at the Championship club. Given his extraordinary spell as a player at the club, it would be understandable if he felt a slight sense of trepidation about being appointed as Thistle manager. Few possess the kind of legacy that Doolan enjoys at Thistle and a poor stint in the dugout could tarnish it, but the former centre-forward didn’t hesitate to put pen to paper when he was eventually offered the job.
“No, not at all,” he said. “You aim high. If you go in and you’re worried about x, y and z, you probably shouldn’t be in football because if you’re always looking over your shoulder it’s not the way to be.
“You need to be positive, to learn as we’re going. We will try to pick up as many points as we can and we will be as positive as we possibly can. But that’s not just from me, that has to be the full football club.”
He will certainly not be short of goodwill from the stands at Firhill this afternoon. With centre-half Kevin Holt declared fit and back in the matchday squad, Thistle’s chances of securing a win – and potentially cutting the seven-point gap with league leaders Queen’s Park – have received a welcome boost.
It will be a particularly special moment for Doolan. After a few years away from the club he holds so dear and all the uncertainty that accompanies interim management, he can finally call Firhill his home again – and nothing makes him happier.
“I’m really proud,” Doolan added. “There is a lot of pride, I was proud to walk out 400 odd times as a player and I will be the same against Raith at home.
“I’m glad to get a home game actually, I have had three away games that have been really tough, but I will be glad to be at home because it does feel like home.
“I said that when I played here – this is home for me so helping out in any way, shape or form, whether that is interim or as permanent manager, that is exactly what I’ll do – and I will give it 100 per cent.”
