Tomorrow we welcome table-toppers Heart of Midlothian to Palmerston in the Championship. The match is live on BBC Scotland as we search for our first competitive win over the Jambos since 1963.
Hearts come to Dumfries on a fine run of form this season having picked up 36 points out of a possible 45. Despite this, they have already lost away from home to three Championship sides this season - Dundee, Dunfermline and Alloa - with their loss to Wasps coming in the Betfred Cup.
The visitors will inevitably go into the game as heavy favourites with as many as nine players having full international experience. This includes the likes of Steven Naismith, Gary Mackay-Steven and Liam Boyce. Goalkeeper Craig Gordon played for Scotland as recently as November last year and was part of the squad that won in Serbia to ensure qualification to Euro 2020.
The previous meeting between the sides this season was one that Queens fans will be hoping to forget. Goals from Naismith, Boyce (2), Jamie Walker, Elliott Frear and Josh Ginnelly meant that Queens lost 6-1 at Tynecastle, with Ayo Obileye scoring a consolation goal midway through the second-half.
We still have a number of injury concerns, Connor Shields was forced off in the first-half at Alloa last week and the game might come too soon for Stephen Dobbie and Joe McKee who are each making their way back from injuries, while ‘keepers Jack Leighfield, Charlie Cowie and Dan Armstrong are all set to miss out. Gregor Buchanan and Nortei Nortey did return to the bench last week though so may be involved.
Looking ahead to the game against his former club, manager, Allan Johnston said “We are disappointed that our unbeaten run came to an end at Alloa.
It is frustrating to lose the game as we weren’t that bad. We could’ve done more in the second half and could’ve tested the keeper more. Where as in the first half we created chances, caused problems and looked really dangerous going forward and should have scored more when we were ahead.
But it is our first defeat since Boxing Day and we shouldn’t forget that we have been on a good run of form and we can’t let last week’s result affect us. We need to get back on track and move onto the next game and try to get a result. You look to win every game but in a curtailed season and with the league so tight we really do need to win every game.
Our next game is against Hearts, a good side who are at the top of the table for a reason so we know we will have to be on top form.
Our last game at Tynecastle was a learning curve for the boys but they have shown since then that they can compete and in the Championship on your day anyone can beat anyone so we will go into the game with confidence and enjoy it”.
With the game live on BBC Scotland, there will be no club stream of the match.
The match has a 7.45pm kick off.