By Chris Jack

PARTICK THISTLE player/coach Simon Donnelly says he has not decided if he will move into football management when he stops playing.

The former Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday and Dunfermline star has been given the chance to work with the youth squads by Partick Thistle boss Ian McCall.

Donnelly, 34, is pleased to take on the added responsibilities that come with his new role but insists he has made no decisions on whether his future lies in or out of the game.

"I don't know about management yet, it's early days" he said.

"The gaffer has been kind enough to offer me this position with the young lads so I've got that for a year and I'm going to do my youth licence throughout the year as well. It's still the first rung of the ladder so it's still too early for me to commit myself to anything further."

Donnelly was given his new coaching position by McCall after John Henry joined Owen Coyle at Premiership new boys Burnley.

The midfielder's role will have him working with the youth squads during the week before preparing for first-team duty at the weekend, as well as trying to gain his coaching badges.

The chance to work closely alongside McCall and his assistant Gerry Britton is an opportunity Donnelly intends to use to the full.

"I've just been given the new role and it's all new to me" he said.

"Hopefully under the guidance of the gaffer and Gerry Britton I can do alright with it.

"I think you have got to learn to change your way of thinking a wee bit.

"On the coaching side of things you've got to start thinking a wee bit more about the game, rather than just your own game.

"Hopefully I'll learn quickly from the guys and take it up quite well."

While Donnelly admits he is looking forward to taking his first steps into coaching, he hasn't given up on his playing days just yet.

He starred for McCall's men last night, scoring twice and having a hand in Kris Doolan's equaliser as Partick came from two goals down to snatch a dramatic 3-2 win at Rugby Park.

Despite being one of the older members of the squad, the midfielder says he still wants to make an impact on the field for Thistle as they look to mount a serious title challenge this year.

He said: "Continuing playing is the most important thing from my point of view.

"The natural progression is in to coaching because I know I'm not going to play forever.

"But I said to the gaffer when I came back on board that, first and foremost, I regarded myself as a player for the first team.

"It's up to me to show that I am good enough to play there. I'm just happy to get a full 90 minutes.

"The most important thing for me at the moment is my fitness and of course it's always nice to get on the scoresheet.

"I need games. I've done a bit of pre-season but I'm really glad to get 90 under my belt.

"Hopefully there will be a few more around the corner for me."