Don't write us off yet - Irvine
Ross County defender Jackson Irvine insists no one should write off the Staggies just yet.
The Dingwall outfit are joint bottom of the Scottish Premiership with St Mirren, six points from safety.
They take on ninth-placed Partick at home on Saturday with the Jags still hoping to make a push for the top six.
But the on-loan Celtic youngster insists Jim McIntyre's men could yet give Thistle a shock by reining in the 10-point gap separating them from Alan Archibald's Maryhill outfit.
The Australian international said: "Partick got a really good result on Sunday against Dundee United. They had a few injuries so to come away with a 2-2 draw was a really positive result.
"They will be coming up here determined to put some space between themselves and the bottom three.
"But there is still a long way to go - we've only just crossed the halfway mark. There are still a lot of games to be played and points to be won.
"I remember last year when I was at Kilmarnock looking at Ross County sitting second bottom above Hearts. By the end of the season they had finished seventh.
"That's how close it can get. At this point it's just about trying to get a run of form together. Nothing is certain yet."
Partick Thistle striker Kris Doolan is hoping for an extended run in the starting line-up after marking his return with a goal on Sunday.
Doolan's strike in the 2-2 draw with Dundee United was his first for three months but he had only started four matches in the intervening period.
Ten of Doolan's 21 appearances this season have come off the bench and the forward is looking for more game time in order to add to his four goals.
Doolan said: "It was nice to start again and to cap that off with a goal was brilliant.
"I had been coming off the bench so it's nice to come on from the start. When it's only 15 minutes here and there it's difficult to score.
"When you know you are coming on from the start you have 90 minutes to get on the score sheet."
Doolan and Ryan Stevenson have often been alternated up front but both played - and scored - against United and Doolan hopes there can be room for both in the team.
"I think it showed on Sunday, Ryan played in midfield, he's an adaptable player," the 28-year-old said.
"He has played in midfield most of his career, he has just had the odd spell up front.
"It was nice that the manager put us both out there on the pitch and we have both topped that off with a goal."
Thistle have not played County since the opening day of the season and a repeat of their 4-0 win would extend their lead over the Scottish Premiership bottom club to 13 points.
But Doolan expects a tougher assignment in Dingwall against Jim McIntyre's team than their previous meeting.
"Since they have taken the new manager on board, he has changed quite a few things, and it seems to change weekly as well," Doolan said.
"They chop and change their players so we are definitely expecting a totally different team from the one we played on the first day of the season."
Source: PA
