Doolan Earns Archibald Praise

Photo by Jeff Holmes Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald hailed Kris Doolan after the striker netted four goals in a 5-0 Scottish Premiership thrashing of Hamilton. Doolan tapped home the first on the line amid strong suspicions of offside but then proceeded to give a lesson in the art of goalscoring. His second was a brilliant control, turn and crisp left-footed finish, the hat-trick came in sublime fashion with a back-heel past bemused Accies goalkeeper Michael McGovern, and he then headed home Stephen O'Donnell's cross in the 62nd minute. Archibald said: "They were all terrific goals, from the build-up play and his finishing his well. I know his back-heel will get the plaudits but I thought his header was fantastic with a great delivery in the box as well. "We were talking before the game, he was on a better run last season at this time. He has been in and out but hopefully that will give him confidence." Doolan went off in the 80th minute but there was no respite for Accies as his replacement, Nathan Eccleston, added a late fifth to leave Archibald delighted with his players. "They were outstanding from the word go," he said. "We knew we had to be as Hamilton are probably the hardest team to play in the league with their work rate and quality going forward but we more than matched them and got the goals at the right time." Accies assistant manager Frankie McAvoy, who is set to join former boss Alex Neil at Norwich next week, did not see the performance coming. McAvoy, who was directing things from the touchline with suspended player/manager Martin Canning in the stand, said: "Goals change games. We concede a goal and then I could sense a wee bit of nervousness and a few of them maybe feeling a bit sorry for themselves. "Martin being suspended has probably had an impact on the result and performance. There is a wee bit uncertainty at the club and I'm sure the board will hopefully announce an appointment in the short term." McAvoy had no information on West Ham's reported attempts to sign Accies left-back Stephen Hendrie, who had a difficult night. "I don't know anything about it other than the speculation," he said. "Stephen is fine, he is level-headed and prepared well. Unfortunately, sometimes you have bad games."