Kris Doolan reveals early rejection helped him reach Partick milestone
ByPA Sport
Published 27/11/2015 at 17:45 GMT
Partick Thistle striker Kris Doolan claims desire, determination and the refusal to accept rejection paved the way for a career in senior football.
Self-belief led to 250 appearances for Partick says striker Kris Doolan
Image credit: PA Sport
Partick Thistle striker Kris Doolan claims desire, determination and the refusal to accept rejection paved the way for a career in senior football.
The Ayrshireman failed to impress as a youngster at Kilmarnock and had spells at Junior sides Kello Rovers and Auchinleck Talbot before being signed by the Jags, then in the second tier, in 2009.
And last week's home game against Inverness, where he scored in the 2-1 Ladbrokes Premiership win, saw Doolan play his 250th game for the Maryhill men.
Ahead of the trip to Kilmarnock on Saturday the 28-year-old recalled how retaining faith in his ability allowed him to reach his milestone.
He told Press Association Sport: "It is people's opinions and you either accept what they tell you if (they say) you are not good enough or released or you turn it on its head and use it to drive yourself on.
"We've all been through ups and downs and been released by clubs, I just used it to spur me on.
"I was at Kilmarnock when I was young. I had to go back to play junior football. I went down a tougher road and so to make 250 appearances is something I really appreciate.
"It doesn't happen very often these days. You tend to see people come and go after two or three seasons but it is something of which I am really proud.
"I always had it in my head that if I do well (in junior football) a chance will come along and I will grab it with both hands.
"Not saying it out loud or bumping your gums to anybody, but having it inside that if the chance comes along you are going to grab it and that is exactly what I have tried to do.
"Every season you give everything to make sure you remain there."
Doolan notched twice in the 2-2 draw against Killie at Firhill in August but had not scored again until the win over Inverness which took Alan Archibald's men into 10th place in the table.
After achieving double figures in his last five seasons at Partick he is looking for the same again.
He said: "That's the aim. Every game I try to get on to the score sheet and at the end of the season I assess things but I try to get into double figures as often as I can.
"I have been on the bench for a few weeks, it is hard when you are only coming on but I kept my head down and worked hard to get back in the team.
"I've got myself back in the team and I bagged that goal so I am away again."
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