Martin Woods is determined to make up for lost time at Partick Thistle as his second spell at Ross County ended in acrimony.

Woods had enjoyed great success during his time in Dingwall, helping the Staggies to a great escape from relegation after joining and playing a huge part in the club winning its only major trophy and achieving a top-six finish.

But in the summer, everything changed. McIntyre decided that Woods no longer had a future at the club, and with the player having triggered a one-year extension to his deal, he found himself frozen out.

But after months in limbo, Woods has been thrown a lifeline by Thistle manager Alan Archibald, and it’s one he is determined to make the most of.

“We had discussions in the summer and there was a difference of opinion,” explained Woods.

“It happens in football, although it was the first time I ever fell out with a manager.

“It was strange situation to be in knowing the boys wanted you out there with them on a Saturday, but you had a fall out with the manager. I was never walking away from a year’s contract no matter what was said or done.

“I’m 31 now and I love being out there on a Saturday. The thought of not playing for a full year was never in my mind. I only have a few years left and I want to be out there every Saturday.

“The last couple of weeks myself and my old manager have sorted it out. I was texting back and forth with Jim and his assistant, Billy Dodds. No grudges have been held on either side.

“I was bitter for a few weeks, especially at pre-season because it was alien to me not to be working. That was hard to get my head round but it’s all in the past now and I’m sure that, when they get another job, they’ll be successful again.

“The chairman, Roy McGregor, was amazing. Even when I left - after it had got a wee bit messy towards the end – he called me and thanked me for everything I’d done for the club and that was the mark of the man.”

Woods didn’t have to think twice about answering the call to sign on at Firhill. He had kept himself ticking over by training with local club Motherwell over the summer, but he says there is no substitute for the real thing.

“These last few months have been horrible, especially at the start of the season,” he said. “Normally, when Jeff Stelling is on Sky on a Tuesday and your team doesn’t have a game you’d enjoy it, but every Saturday when he came on at lunchtime I was like: ‘Get me out of the house!’

“I couldn’t even watch the results coming in. It was hard, but I can’t wait to make up for that lost time.

“That’s why I can’t wait for this next international break so that I can really get my teeth into the fitness side of things. I’ve kept my sharpness but it’s just getting that extra air in your lungs, that match fitness which you only get from full-time training and playing.

“I have not played a game since May, so it has been a shock to the system training every day again.

“I’m looking forward to getting on with my career here now.”

By keeping himself in decent condition, Woods hopes to be able to help out this afternoon against Rangers if required.

Woods was part of the Ross County team whose draw against the Ibrox side spelled the end of Mark Warburton’s reign at the club, and from what he has seen of his new teammates, he sees no reason why they can’t get a result again today.

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“I played with a lot of good players at County, but I feel that Thistle can pose more of a threat going forward than they did and that’s something the manager will be looking to do.”

“Rangers haven’t had the best of starts but I feel that they’re an improved team this season, compared to what they were then.

“The two midfielders [Jack and Dorrans] are certainly better and they’ve tweaked a few things here and there. Whoever comes in there will inherit a good squad to work with.”