Top spot beckons for Queens

Oct 3 2008 by Doug Archibald, Dumfries Standard Friday

PALMERSTON Park will tomorrow bear witness to what could well be a defining moment in this season’s league campaign.

Division one’s top two go head-to-head in a tussle that should give fans a shrewd idea of the real quality the Almondvale injection of Italian Euros has produced.

But league leaders Livi could well be kicked off top spot by a Queens’ side many believe have much more to offer than has so far been seen.

Boss Gordon Chisholm can bask in some good news ahead of what has all the promise of an absolute cracker, the sort of game that could and should reflect the caliber of football on offer in what is a highly competitive division.

The Queens manager will have the luxury of making his selection from what is almost a full squad.

Jamie Adams and Neil Scally are both definitely sidelined with long term injuries and Sean O’Connor, although making good progress, is more likely to be given another week before being thrown into the fray.

But Jamie McQuilken and Neil MacFarlane are back in the reckoning.

The boss is aiming for maximum points, a result that would push Queens top of the table.

It’s five years since that happened. Then a win over Inverness Caley Thistle saw them take over at the top, a position they went on to hold for five weeks.

Chisholm described the match as “massive”.

And he appealed to the Palmerston faithful to turn out en masse and roar the side on to victory.

“We want all Queens’ supporters to get behind us from the start and I’m also after plenty of vocal backing to help us pick up three points,” he said.

“There’s a lot riding on the result, so we'll have to be fully focussed from the start.”

The boss is conscious of the fact Queens have not lost so far at Palmerston and he aims to maintain that record.

He’ll be demanding the team carries on from where it left off at the end of the Clyde game.

"We didn’t play well in the first half against Clyde but were a much improved side in the second half,” he added. “So we want to carry on from there!

“I’ve seen Livingston play and they’re a good side with a new manager and a lot of new players. There’s been quite a few changes to their squad but all credit to them – they’ve had a great start.

“However, we’ve only lost once in the league ourselves and have a good record at Palmerston.

“If we can beat Livi we’ll be top of the table at the quarter-way point of the season and I want to build on that and stay right up there.”

Meanwhile, Queens chairman Davie Rae hailed Bob Harris’ decision to sign up for another two seasons at Palmerston as “terrific”.

The 21-year-old’s solid performances at left back have prompted speculation of premier league club interest.

But the chairman said any approach now would have to come hand-in-hand with “megabucks”.

Harris, whose stunning second minute free kick against FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark sparked UEFA Cup hope amongst Queens fans, is a regular focus for scouts.

But the youngster who has had a spell with Rangers and arrived in Dumfries from Clyde, has signed up to remain with Queens until May 31, 2011.

“To get Bob Harris to play his football with Queens for another two seasons is terrific,” the chairman said.

“There is no doubt he is being watched on a regular basis but we have not had any official approaches.

“I think his performance in the Scottish Cup final stirred up interest and scouts have been watching him regularly since.

“I hope we can hang on to him. Anyone who comes after him will have to bring megabucks.”

Harris told the club website: “I really enjoy my football at Palmerston and I'm just delighted to be back playing again after my injury.

“Gordon Chisholm and Kenny Brannigan have been great, we have a good dressing room and I feel Queen of the South are a club that are ‘going places’.

“I never thought for a moment that when I first signed that I’d be playing in a Scottish Cup Final and even in Europe. It was like a dream come true. We’d been talking about it for quite a while but I felt the time was right to get it all sorted out. I’ve signed for Queens to May 2011 and I’m happy at that.”