Kris Doolan thanks Partick Thistle for play-offs 'tonic' after dad loss

Kris Doolan described his side Partick Thistle's 4-0 play-off victory over Queen's Park as a fitting tribute and the tonic he needed a day after losing his father the day before the match.

The Thistle manager was in the dugout at Ochilview as his side sealed an 8-3 aggregate win in the Premiership play-off quarter-finals the day after his father, Lawrence Doolan, died.

The 36-year-old said: "That's probably exactly what I need personally, as it's been a turbulent time for me.

"Seeing us score those goals was exactly the tonic I needed and seeing the fans, the unity at the club, that's what we're trying to build.

"It was great to stand and watch the way we play. The attitude of the players…I could see it in their eyes, they were giving it their all.

"That's a big thank you from me, because they went above and beyond and got what they deserved."

The Thistle manager was on his way to training when he heard the news on Thursday morning and missed the last day of preparation for the second leg.

“There was no doubt that I would be in the dugout,” he said. "It's what my father would have wanted.

"He was a big fan of Partick Thistle, just like me. No one wants to see us do well more than me or him.

"He followed us everywhere when I was playing, he wanted me to be here tonight. He watched the game the other night and I was with him right after."

The Jags set up a semi-final with Ayr, who will visit Firhill in the first leg next Friday, thanks to first-half goals from Brian Graham, Scott Tiffoney and Kevin Holt, as well as a late effort by Danny Mullen.

Doolan, who has lost just once in 15 games as a manager, said: "It was a fitting tribute. There's no better tonic than watching us play like this.

"He would be proud of the players and the club because everyone came together.

"We've had incredible support, my whole family, and we can't thank everyone enough because these times show in football, that's where everyone comes together. Football is great for that's a great industry when something like this happens.

"You see the fans at the end, and throughout the game, the support we have, and I thank them as well.

"Even my 11 years here as a player, they have supported me every day and they continue to support me as a manager. I am very grateful for that."

Queen's Park had a chance to claim the league title last Friday after leading the table for much of 2023, but a 5-3 loss to Dundee was followed by more defensive lapses.

Manager Owen Coyle said: "That night we probably let ourselves down in terms of performance level, and over the last four or five weeks.

“Maybe we got the most out of this group we had. The main thing is that it didn't happen. Next year we will come back bigger and better.”