LIAM LINDSAY admits Partick Thistle were left gutted as Rangers snatched a dramatic Premiership win on Saturday.

Alan Archibald’s side were on course for a famous Firhill win after Kris Doolan fired them in front with just 15 minutes remaining.

But the afternoon ended in heartache for the Jags as Joe Dodoo came off the bench to score twice in the closing stages and clinch a last-gasp victory.

Thistle equipped themselves well against Mark Warburton’s side but were left with nothing to show for their efforts as they ended the weekend bottom of the Premiership standings.

And defender Lindsay was frustrated the Jags couldn’t hold on as Dodoo beat Thorsten Stuckmann with a terrific effort and then kept his cool in the final seconds.

He said: “It was so cruel. What a strike by the boy, we couldn’t do much about it. We just need to keep our heads up.

“It just didn’t happen. At the second goal, I have slipped and it has gone through a couple of legs as well.

“Hopefully we get a bit of luck soon and we have to keep our heads up.

“It is just so hard to take. It is gutting but we have got to stay positive and move onto the next game.

“We felt during the game that we were pressing high and it was working, especially in the first half.

“When we got the goal, we felt comfortable. I don’t know what it is, maybe the mentality, but we have deepened and given them an opportunity to get back into it. We need to stop that. We need to cut that out.

“It is sickening and Hamilton is a must-win game for us now.”

The afternoon may have ended in disappointment for Thistle but there were still positives to take for boss Archibald as his side turned in a solid performance on derby day in Glasgow.

Lindsay has been a mainstay of the Jags line-up this term and handled the Gers forward line well before Dodoo’s moment of magic and clinical finish late on.

The defender was involved in a clash with Joe Garner as both players required medical treatment and admits he was prepared for a physical battle with the former Preston star.

Lindsay said: “He definitely caught me, I don’t know what with.

“I didn’t see, I was looking at the ball. I just felt it and it was a sore one. I have not seen it back yet.

“I have watched Rangers a couple of times and seen him. He is physical and tries to get in your head so I knew I had to stop myself from his mind games.

“He doesn’t talk to you but when you are walking and the ball isn’t near you he will give you a wee elbow and stuff like that. I just try and play on.

“I felt comfortable. I am just gutted, really.”

After seeing victory slip through their grasps at Firhill, Thistle must now pick themselves up as they look to climb the top flight table in the coming weeks.

A trip to Hamilton is next on the Jags’ agenda before they face Celtic either side of an away outing with Hearts.

Lindsay and Adam Barton were once again impressive for Archibald’s side and the 21-year-old hopes they can play their part in a Premiership recovery mission.

He said: “It is a hard run of games coming up so we need to take points, especially against Hamilton and we will see what we can do against Celtic.

“Adam has come in and been brilliant. He has got a calmness about him that rubs off on everyone. He is helping my game and long may that continue.”