Queens kick off league campaign against Airdrie United

Aug 1 2008 By John Ballard

QUEENS’ league campaign kicks off tomorrow when Airdrie United visit Palmerston Park.

And Gordon Chisholm is aiming to start the season in style by putting three points on the board at the first time of asking.

The Doonhamers boss said: “It’s always great to win that first league encounter and get three points on the board - especially in front of our own fans.

“In the latter stages of last season we turned Palmerston into a fortress and I want it to be like that again.

Queens will start the season on the back of fine form, including a 5-1 hammering of Berwick Rangers in the first round of the Challenge Cup last weekend, although Chisholm expects a tough test tomorrow.

He said: “I know the Airdrie manager, Kenny Black, very well and I’m sure he’d love to come down and surprise us.

“The opening league match is always a hard one to predict but Airdrie have a lot of new faces in their squad and we’ll be facing somewhat of an unknown quantity.”

The only injury concern for the Doonhamers going into the clash with Airdrie United is defender/midfielder Bob Harris, who has had a scan on his knee. However, he has been given the all-clear and should be back in action soon.

However, the rest of the squad should all be available.

While Queens will undoubtedly have made other teams in the first division sit up and take notice by reaching the Scottish Cup final, Chisholm knows his team will come up against plenty of strong opposition.

He said: “I’d like to think we could improve on last season’s fourth place but there will be some pretty tough competition out there.

“I saw St Johnstone play Burnley and they looked pretty good – they have a fair squad which gives them lots of options.

“Dundee, of course, can never be ruled out and personally I think it could be tighter than ever at the top this time around.”

l Queens have been drawn away to Dunfermline in the second round of the Challenge Cup. The game will be played either August 12 or 13.