KRIS DOOLAN is confident it will be onwards and upwards for himself and Partick Thistle in the Premiership once again next season.

Boss Alan Archibald is preparing for a third successive campaign in Scotland’s top flight as the Jags look to improve on their eighth place finish last time out.

Thistle have lost key men Stephen O’Donnell, Conrad Balatoni and Kallum Higginbotham so far this summer, while Tomas Cerny has arrived to replace Scott Fox after he joined Ross County.

But striker Doolan hopes the return to action will be the start of another successful season at Firhill.

He said: “I think as a team we should be looking up the table and not down.

“Everyone says that the second season in the Premiership is the toughest but we showed last season eventually that we can be safe with games to spare.

“So we should be taking the positives out of that and seeing where it takes us. If that is top six then great but as long as there is progression next season then that will be good.

“I’m the same, I always want to better what I have done the season before.

“I feel settled now. I’ve scored goals at every level. That’s never been a problem for me. I’m confident that if I’m presented with half a chance then I will take it and stick it in the back of the net. I can’t wait to get started in my third season in the Premiership.

“It was a bit stop-start last season and I’d hope to get a run of games under my belt. It can be difficult when you have to come on each week to try and make an impact.

“But I still got into double figures last season and if I am getting more game time next season I will be expecting more goals. That’s the kind of pressure I put on myself.”

Thistle put together an impressive run of form towards the end of the season as they moved themselves clear of the relegation battle.

It is only a few weeks since they brought the curtain down on the campaign with a goalless draw at Fir Park.

And Doolan hasn’t taken his foot off the gas over the summer shutdown as he bids to hit the ground running once again.

He said: “There’s not much of a close season but it feels a lot quicker this year.

“Normally it’s a little bit longer. But I think it was long enough for the boys to get refreshed and back ready to go. And there’s boys have been back in training a lot quicker than us.

“The lads who are in the Europa League have been back training earlier. But you just have to deal with it.

“I’ve been doing gym sessions and running – two sessions a day just to keep myself going.

“I wouldn’t like to say I’m going to be right up there in terms of my stats in case I report back and I’m not. But I’ve been keeping myself ticking over and I’m in a good shape that I am happy with.”

Doolan helped Thistle launch their new home kit in George Square yesterday as he was joined by Cerny, Dan Seaborne, Ryan Stevenson and Kingsley, the Jags’ new mascot.

And the striker knows the controversial David Shrigley design will set Thistle apart next season.

Doolan said: “It’s different, that’s for sure. I hope it’s going to scare defenders. I think when you look at the mascot, it’s got a big of attitude about it, a bit of cheekiness too.

“I think we should have that as a team as well. We are not here to be a cuddly club or someone’s second club.

“We are a family club and you only need to look around George Square today to see how many people are interested in Partick Thistle.”