Queens legend gearing up for Gers testimonial

Dumfries and Galloway Standard reports:

QUEENS hero Jim Thomson is preparing to go toe-to-toe with the cream of Scottish football.

Tickets for the former Doonhamers captain's testimonial match against Rangers go on sale tomorrow morning.

And with the Gers full first team making the trip to Palmerston, Thomson is hoping for a good turnout.

He said: "I'm really looking forward to the match.

"The fans and everyone involved with Queens have always made me feel really welcome here.

"I'm part of the furniture now!

"The Rangers first team will be playing because it's their first pre-season match.

"They fly out to Australia after the game.

"I'm really looking forward to the game and just hope I do well."

Thomson held the captain's armband for eight of his 11 years at Palmerston.

During his two spells at Palmerston, Thomson made more than 300 appearances in all competitions.

Thomson has plenty of experience of taking on the Scottish Champions having played against them during his time with Clyde as well as that famous Scottish Cup Final match against Queens.

And he hopes this time his side will be on the right side of the scoreline.

And he views the cup final against Rangers as the biggest match of his career.

"It's a pre-season match for Queens, so I'll be happy with 15 or 20 minutes of play.

"I get nervous about every game, so there's nothing new there.

"It'd be fantastic to get the win - it'd be third time lucky for me!" he added.

Tickets are now on sale at Palmerston and on Sunday.

Queens are preparing to take on East League neighbours Gretna at Raydale on Monday night.

The two sides met in a pre-season tussle last time round; a match that ended goalless.

Gretna boss Stuart Rome was delighted with the draw last season.

And as long as the workrate is good, he will be a happy man.

He said: "The effort and fitness was very good last year.

"It was a bonus that we held them to a draw, but it's very much a fitness exercise.

"And as long as the workrate is there, the result isn't that important."

But one player he'll be disappointed to see as the opposition will be the club's star striker Dan Carmichael.

Rome said: "It'll be hard watching him playing in a Queens shirt, but he deserves a chance at a higher level."