PALMERSTON SIGNING SPREE
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QUEEN of the South manager Allan Johnston has signed up four of the present squad and he’s also carrying on in charge along with assistant Sandy Clark. And the former Rangers and Scotland star revealed that he’s looking forward to next year’s Division One challenge.
Johnston and assistant Clark have taken Queens to one of their most successful ever seasons with the s Division Two title wrapped up in record time, the Ramsdens’ cup back at Palmerston after beating SPL candidates Partick Thistle and only four points away from beating the Division Two points total held by Gretna.
Johnston has already got the signatures of Chris Mitchell, Mark Durnan, Stephen McKenna and Gavin Reilly on one year contract extensions and he’s looking to have some of the others fixed up very quickly. They join Kevin Holt and Paul Burns who remain under contract for next season but Dumfries midfielder, Willie Gibson has left the club by mutual consent.
Johnston is delighted to be back next season. “There’s obviously going to be changes which are part and parcel of football but hopefully we can keep the majority of the players because they’ve done exceptionally well this year. I’m, delighted to be here for another season because if you can’t enjoy this one then you can’t enjoy any season.
“It’s going to be difficult next season with the step-up but I’m sure the boys are all capable of playing in that division. Many have got the experience and with the young lads I think we’ve got the right blend.”
Johnston whose side went down for only the second time this season on Tuesday night against Stenhousemuir is not too downhearted and said: “We can’t afford to switch off and we want to win every game and the work rate and commitment was just the same and on other night we could easily have scored five or six.”
He added: “Now that the title is wrapped up it’s a god chance for us to play some of the other players and given them a chance because we’re now starting to prepare for Division One. Normally it’s difficult to give players a run of games but we’ve been lucky this time. It’s important these boys get a chance to show how good they are for we’re stepping up to another level.”