Alan Archibald hoping for goals from Blair Spittal

Partick Thistle boss Alan Archibald hopes new signing Blair Spittal can help ease the goal-scoring burden on Kris Doolan.

The former Queen’s Park and Dundee United attacker struck twice – a stunning free-kick and a composed finish – on his home debut in front of the Firhill fans on Saturday.

Further goals from Steven Lawless and Doolan made it a convincing 5-0 win over Championship side St Mirren in the Betfred Cup Group H encounter.

It was not just Spittal’s goals though that pleased his new manager, but his invention in the final third and understanding with his new team-mates Chris Erskine and Lawless.

Archibald said: “I tried to get Spitz in before he went to Dundee United. I think we have found a position to get the best out of him. He will bring a set-piece threat to us which we have not had in a couple of seasons.

“He looks like he’s been here a couple of years, linking up well with Lawless and Erskine in pre-season.

“He’s a confident boy and he’s got good ability. It’s a great start for him and you want to get off the mark as early as you can.

“We need goals from all areas of the team that has been a big problem for us so hopefully he brings that and some creativity.

“We can’t keep on relying on Doolan to pop up with the goals all the time, if Spittal can chip in with five or six goals it makes a massive difference.”

Meanwhile Saints boss Jack Ross said: “We’ve got two weeks to address that. I expect a reaction from the group because we’ve shown that over the last six or seven months but they need to ask themselves questions about that display.”