PARTICK THISTLE hit-kid Kevin Nisbet is hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow striker Kris Doolan and get among the goals for the Jags.

Nisbet has returned to Firhill after spending the first half of the season on loan to Ayr United, and he says the experience of working with Ian McCall and sampling the physical challenge of the Championship was invaluable.

He is hoping that he can put what he has learnt from the likes of experienced Somerset Park and ex-Partick Thistle forward Gary Harkins, as well as team-mate Doolan, into practice by breaking into the Firhill first-team.

“The loan spell at Ayr was massive for me,” Nisbet said. “There is a huge difference between playing against older players in real matches and turning out for the under-20s, and I hope it can really help bring me on.

“All of the guys at Ayr were really good with me, but especially the manager and Gary Harkins who were always passing on advice and little tips.

“I’m really lucky because now I’m back at Firhill I also have Dools to learn from, and my big goal now is to break into that team and show the fans what I can do.”

The close-knit nature of the Jags squad means that his fellow strikers are never short of a pointer or two for the 19-year-old in training, even if he is gunning to eventually take their place up front for Thistle.

“Myself, Dools and Ade Azeez are really close and we all train together and work on our games together,” Nisbet said.

“I’m trying to do that little bit extra to improve my game given how young I am, but Dools is always out there working on his finishing too and that’s an inspiration to me.”