Last updated : 02 February 2007 By Duke of Galloway
Queen's latest signing Stevie Tosh
Palmy should be jumping tomorrow when Queens contest 2nd Division Cowdenbeath for a place in the Quarter-Finals of the Tennents Scottish Cup. It has been 30 years since Queens made the final eight when Rangers ran out 5-0 winners in 1976 after the epic Queens triumph over Ayr 5-4 in the previous round. There were 18,500 at Palmy for the Rangers game that day and a healthy attendance is expected tomorrow. Cowdenbeath or the Blue Brazil as they are affectionately called,will be no pushovers but the Doonhamers with home advantage and a noisy crowd should prevail especially with the recent acquisition of tall midfielder Stevie Tosh from Gretna after a long drawn out transfer scenario. He will be included in the pool but new on loan signing 'Ruby' Murray is unavailble as he is cup-tied. Paul Burns is also out due to injury along with Warren Moon who is doubtful but everyone else is available including Andy Barrowman a last minute signing from Killie. Although our priorities are to stave of relegation the importance of this cup-tie can't be over emphasized as success will reward the winner with a possible jackpot match against Premier Legue opponents and also potential Television money. The Blue Brazil will know this and their shrewd manager Bruce Welsh will do everything to frustrate Queens and force a replay at Central Park,Cowdenbeath, which is a difficult place to get a result for any team. Queen's manager Ian McCall must set out his game plan and will hope that we don't have a repeat of the last minute shambles against Thistle. With the signing of Stevie Tosh we now have the strength in midfield to hurt teams and McCall also has options up front with O'Connor,Barrowman and Dobie. One slight worry tomorrow is that we won't have any natural wingers avalable but the way that the modern game is played today I will expect Paton and McQuilken to bomb up the flanks. It should be a fascinating contest and although it's forecast a heavy frost this evening the Queens Action Group is standing by to assist Kevin with the covers if required. The Queens fan will demand a resounding victory tomorrow but it will not be easy and one can expect another afternoon of drama at Palmy.
