QUEENS FULL-TIME STATUS UNDER THREAT AS SAD DOONHAMERS ARE RELEGATED
Gus MacPherson admits Queen of the South’s full-time status is under threat after the Palmerston Park outfit were relegated at Starks Park.
Goals from Brian Graham, John Baird and Pat Clarke secured the 3-1 triumph, rendering Danny Carmichael’s second-half strike moot and ensuring Raith will retain their First Division status.
The same cannot be said for the visitors. Their defeat, allied with a dramatic 3-2 victory for Ayr against Dundee, means Queens are six-points adrift at the foot of the table ahead of the final match of the season.
MacPherson said: “We are not good enough in defence, especially away from home and we concede soft goals.
“We have not picked up enough points away from home and that is why we will be playing Second Division football next season. There have been no discussions yet about the future, we don’t know what the club’s situation will be and we will need to talk over what will happen next season.
“We don’t know the contracts we will be able to offer players and we have no idea whether we will stay full-time or go part-time.”
For Raith Rovers striker John Baird, who netted his 13th goal of the season, it was a bittersweet afternoon. The 26-year-old was ecstatic with his side’s success but gutted to see Gus MacPherson, who he credits with rescuing his senior career, suffer relegation.
He said: “I was relegated with Airdrie and I never want to go through that again, so I’m relieved, but I feel sorry for Gus.
“I was one of eight boys that got released by Clyde and St Mirren took a chance on me and gave me a club.
“I am the only one of the lads still in the game.
“I was with them for three-and-a-half years and they are good football people, and in that way today was difficult.”