BRING ON THE HIBEES

Last updated : 22 February 2007 By Duke of Galloway
Jim Thomson
As Queens legend Jim Thomson leads his team on to the hallowed Palmy turf on Saturday to face Hibernians in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup,the veteran defender may well be thinking - well this may be my my last chance for a shot at glory.

All Queens fans will be wishing for his sake that Queens can achieve the unthinkable and proceed into the semi-finals at the expense of their Leith vistors. This may well be a tall order agsinst a team bursting with talent but as even their own supporters admit the Hibees have like all teams an Achilees heel. In Hibs case it is iconsistency as was clearly demonstarted agsinst Dundee United last week on a heavy pitch.

The Palmy turf is not expected to be lush on Saturday after the recent heavy rain and this may let Queens in the back door sort of speak. The key battles will be fought in mid-field where Queens Scally and Adams are no slouches but they will be up against a class performer in Scott Brown.

Benjelloun
Up front for Queens O'Connor and Dobbie are on fire at the moment and it will interesting as to how defender Rob Jones of Hibs copes. Where I think Queens will struggle is in defence and they will have trouble containing the pace of Morrocon striker Benjelloun. This could also be the final departing stage for Willie Gibson and the winger will be determined to do well.

In my opinion we have yet to see the best of Gibson and this very well could be his finest hour. Most punters are going for a comfortable win for
Stephen Dobbie
Hibs but I'm not so sure. Their manager is still learning his trade and if he makes any tactical errors on Saturday Queen's manager McCall will exploit threm to the full. I think at long last Queens deserve some breaks and I'm sticking my kneck out for a 2-1 win for Queens but not after a rip-roaring cup-tie with plenty of noise from the 6,400 crowd.