“We were poor other than in the first 20 minutes where we created a few chances. In that opening period we played with a bit of impetus and got good use of the ball into the wide areas. Other than that it’s probably as poor as we have been for a long time and I thought we were fortunate to get a draw truth be told.

“We never played with any real zip and in the second half I don’t think we played with any real level of control and I thought Thistle could probably have punished us.

“The positives are a clean sheet, a point, staying undefeated but we can’t hide that it was poor performance.

“You have got to credit Partick Thistle, they changed their shape after that first 20 minutes and caused us problems at the top end of the pitch and unfortunately we never really got going after that. Given the consistency that the boys have shown it’s out of character and I think that has to be said.

“It was a bad day for us but we never expected anything other than a tough game.

“I tried to point out before today that everybody has something to play for whether that is trying to make the top six or getting away from relegation and I think Thistle’s performance showed that. For our part we know that we are better than what we showed today and we aim to improve between now and the end of the season.

“I think there was plenty of effort from the players. I would never question that but we have to be better individually and we have got to go to the end of the season and keep winning games.

“I thought Shankland did fine, we have been waiting for the right time to put him in and we felt that the way we wanted to play today would still allow Rooney to play close to him and that was the case in the first half. He will be disappointed that he didn’t score from one of his chances but he is a boy that we think the world of and he can be pleased with his contribution.

“In the incident involving Jonny Hayes, I don’t think there was a foul there, Jonny went in with the side of his boot and he is through on goal. I think everybody was astounded when he (Kevin Clancy) brought that back for a free-kick.

“As poor as we were today that was such an important decision as he was through one on one at that stage of the game and that is a great chance as everybody knows.”

“As poor as we were today that was such an important decision as he was through one on one at that stage of the game and that is a great chance as everybody knows.”