Chris Erskine to Kris Doolan. A combination that for Partick Thistle normally results in one outcome - the opposition net bulging.

On Saturday against Hamilton, the two combined for Doolan’s second goal of the day, and the clincher for the Jags in a tense and often grim battle at Firhill that ended with the hosts jumping into the top half of the table.

But what many people might not know is that the two Thistle attackers once faced off against one another in the Junior ranks. Perhaps that is because Erskine doesn’t like to mention it too much, and it is easy to deduce why.

“I think we did play against each other and I’m sure he nutmegged me at one point and put it in the top corner,” Erskine laughed.

“When I was at Kilbirnie we were in the sort of lower leagues. I think we had Auchinleck in the Evening Times Cup.

“I’m not sure if he remembers it but I’ll not be bringing it up!

“For me, Dools has got a bit of everything. He’s got a great touch, he’s got great composure, he’s good to link up with as well and he’s a natural finisher. That’s all the attributes you need for a striker.

“He’s been doing it his whole career, and he’ll be looking forward to his 100 goals.

“It would be a great achievement. I think he’s scored double figures every year he’s been at the club, so he’s been great for Thistle. He’s played over 300 games and he’s a top pro.

“It just shows you there are plenty of players to be had in the Ayrshire Juniors!”

It was the introduction of Erskine and Doolan in the second half of Saturday’s match that eventually tipped a crucial encounter in Thistle’s favour.

Erskine, of course, would rather have started, but he gave manager Alan Archibald massive credit for getting his game-plan spot on.

“I felt in the first half that both teams sort of cancelled each other out and there wasn’t much in it at all,” he said. “There weren’t many chances and it was a bit of a nothing game.

“But the game opened up a wee bit in the second half and it probably suited me and Dools to come on then, and I was pleased to make an impact and for Dools to get a couple of goals.

“That’s the decisions you’ve got to make as a manager and I think that’s why you’ve got a squad as well.

“Everyone is disappointed not to be starting games, but if you can have that as a manager to have a bit of insight into how a game is going to shape up to bring guys like myself and Dools on to affect the game then that’s the way to do it.

“Of course, you want to play every game, but I’ve got a wee niggle just now that I’m trying to shake and I’ve had it for the last couple of weeks.

“It’s a problem with my tendon but I’m managing to play on with it just now. I just need to manage that as well."

With Thistle currently in the top six and with a Scottish Cup quarter final to look forward to, it could potentially be a campaign to remember for the Jags, although Erskine isn’t counting any chickens just yet.

“We hope this can end up a special season,” he said.

“There’s still a long way to go in the season, we haven’t achieved anything yet, that’s for sure. We’ve got eight games before the split so those are big games for us.

“It would be a great achievement for this club to finish in the top six. I think it will go right to the wire, but hopefully we can push on and get there.”