KRIS DOOLAN is delighted friend Ryan Stevenson has hit the goal trail - and he hopes there is plenty more to come from their strike pairing this term.

Both forwards were on the scoresheet as Alan Archibald's side drew 2-2 with Dundee United last weekend and will look to fire the Jags to success against Ross County this afternoon.

Ayrshire duo Doolan and Stevenson have been close for several years and were united in the summer when the 30-year-old moved to Firhill from Hearts.

Boss Archibald has only pitched the pair into battle at the same time on a couple of occasions this season but he could stick with them for the Premiership clash in Dingwall today.

And Doolan is determined he and Stevenson will continue to shine at the head of the Thistle attacking line.

He said: "We are both from the Kilmarnock area and he lives just five minutes away from me. It is nice to have him at the club.

"We have always been friends and have always kept in contact. It is a small place where we are from so you get to know people and we would go to the gym together.

"He is one of those characters who believes in himself and he is an experienced pro so he will know there are ups and down in a season.

"But he has that character about him where he doesn't let it get too him and he has come back strong.

"This is the first time we have played together and it is nice to play with someone you have known for a long time.

"It was nice the two of starting together against Dundee United and we both chipped in with a goal.

"I think we knew we would have an understanding together having known each other and trained with each other. It was good that the manager put us both out there on Sunday."

While the Doolan and Stevenson partnership worked well last weekend, the pair could be joined by another forward before the end of the month.

Boss Archibald is in the market for reinforcements to boost Thistle's top six charge this season and Doolan would welcome any new arrivals at Firhill.

He said: "It doesn't bother me at all if we bring new players in during the transfer window.

"Whenever the manager sees fit to strengthen the squad is good for me.

"I am happy to see anyone come in especially if they can benefit the team and squad to get us higher up the league."

With the gap to St Johnstone now standing at eight points after a frustrating run of results, Thistle head to Dingwall this afternoon determined to get back to winning ways.

The Jags triumphed 4-0 at Inverness earlier in the campaign and Doolan is relishing the trip up north as he looks to fire Archibald's side to success once again.

He said: "I will take what I learned from the Dundee United game last weekend into the match against Ross County and right the wrongs.

"I just always want to be in the position to score and you as much work as you can on that.

"I have a good record in the Highlands against Inverness and County - it is somewhere I enjoy playing.

"I am looking forward to going back - I just seemed to have scored a number of goals when I go up there...I don't know what it is."