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"I was well pleased at our performance and quite surprised just how competitive the game was for a 'friendly'. Gretna had a strong side out and we more than matched them and had it not been for Davie Mathieson, himself an ex-Queens' keeper, we could have scored a couple more.
"I know there is a healthy rivalry between the fans, and that's to be expected in football. But I can only say that Davie Irons has been more than helpful in any transactions we've had with Gretna as a club--and that's the way it should be.
"I think it's good to play teams 'on your own doorstep' in pre-season games, and that's one of the reasons we invited Carlisle United back up to Palmerston for our final build-up. I'm fully expecting another tough match as they play in the third top division in England and only last Saturday held Newcastle United, with practically their full squad, to a 1-1 draw at Brunton Park. So, that's the quality of opposition we're up against.
"He (Liam Atkin) hadn't really played competive football since February but impressed me. I only intended playing him for the first half but, owing to the injuries, I had to keep him on for the full 90 minutes. I'll give him another run-out against Carlisle on Saturday and we've another big centre-half joining us for training on Friday. So, I'll assess him, and if he comes up to standard I might even give him a trial as well."
Meanwhile recent Queens signing Brian Gilmour added :
"I've had two run-outs with Queens already and I'm hoping for a third against Carlisle tomorrow. With my normal pre-season build-up interrupted by the trip to Canada I'm not quite as fit as I'd like to be, but I'm working hard on it! I want to win a regular place in the team and play week in, week out--that's my aim.
"I'm most impressed with the set-up at Palmerston and I'm settling in well. I know Bob Harris well as we're the same age and were at both at Rangers and Clyde together. Also Jamie Adams who was in the Scotland Under-20 squad with me. The rest of the players have been great since I arrived and I'm looking forward to a new challenge."
Queens have a few injury problems already at this stage of pre-season, centre-half Jim Thomson and Kilmarnock-loanee midfielder Jamie Adams will both miss the match with hernia problems, while defenders Neil McGowan and Bob Harris are sidelined with muscle pulls picked up in the Gretna game. Rated as 50-50 to take part against Carlisle are midfielders Steve Tosh and Neil Scally along with striker Stephen Dobbie. Towering centre-half Andy Aitken had two stitches in a head wound following the Gretna match but is expected to play tomorrow.