Queen of the South boss expects toughest Premier Sports Cup test yet against St Johnstone

Queens boss Wullie Gibson expects his side to face their toughest test yet when Premiership St Johnstone visit Dumfries tomorrow.

The top flight side lost to Annan Athletic in a penalty shoot-out on Tuesday night which Gibson believes will make them even more motivated.

He said: “It will be a tough test against a Premiership side. I know their manager, he will have them fired up.”

Gibson sees the game as an ideal chance to assess where his team are at this stage of the season against a team two divisions above Queens. He said: “You want to test yourself against better teams, it gives a proper gauge.

“We let our standards slip on Saturday, but we were back on it against a Championship side on Tuesday.

“But with this game being against a Premiership side it will offer a sterner test.”

Having lost their opening game at home to Annan last weekend, Queens replied with a 3-0 away victory over Ayr United in their second group match of the Premier Sports Cup.

He said: “We obviously wanted an improvement from Saturday and they gave us that.

“If I am being critical, we could’ve scored more, but a clean sheet, away from home in a derby, we can go home happy.”

After the weekend defeat the manger was looking for a reaction and was pleased with what he saw.

He added: “The boys were disappointed in their own performance, they didn’t need me to tell them — they were frustrated, but they came in, worked hard, prepared and went to Ayr and put in a performance.

“It will give us confidence going forward.”

Meanwhile Aidan Fitzpatrick, who left in the summer, has rejoined Partick Thistle.

The 21-year-old was a free agent after last season. Queens will receive a development fee from the Jags for the winger.