It has been a case of business as usual for Queen of the South and stand-in manager James Fowler this week ahead of their meeting with Hibernian at Palmerston.
The former Kilmarnock player was placed in interim charge when Jim McIntyre and Billy Dodds moved to Ross County and he guided the Doonhamers to a 1-1 draw at Falkirk last Saturday.
Fowler said: “I have listed the same squad for this game as the one that faced Falkirk. I was happy with that performance, especially when you consider the week we had leading up to the game.
“The reaction from the boys after Jim and Billy left was all I could ask for and they gave me everything in the game. We were a wee bit unfortunate not to hang on for the win after going ahead in the second half.”
Fowler is also more settled ahead of meeting the capital club after deliberating over a touchline or playing role before the game with the Bairns.
He added: “I was not sure for a few days what my involvement would be but I did not mind playing and managing. In fact I quite enjoyed it.
“I liked being closer to things as I felt more in control. I took myself off after about an hour as I was on a booking and knew that one mistake could have been costly.”
Hibs sit two points and two places below Queens in the table but Fowler reckons his men are still the underdogs against Alan Stubbs’ side, who beat Cowdenbeath 3-2 at Easter Road last week.
He said: “It will be a tremendous challenge for us to win when you consider the strength of squad that Hibs have. They have kept a lot of their players from last season when they were in the Premiership and have added quite a few. It is a big game for us and we have to ensure that it is a big game for Hibs as well.
“It is the first visit of what people have called the big three of Rangers, Hearts and Hibs to our ground and that adds something to the game. Hopefully they will bring a good support and make a great atmosphere at the ground. All our players are certainly looking forward to it.”
Fowler has not pushed the people in charge of the Dumfries club for a decision on his future, as he explained: “I spoke to the board when Jim left and I spoke to them again this week. We agreed to get this game played and then get back together next week.
“It was always the plan that the club would take a couple of weeks to go over things and then decide what to do next. They did not feel in any rush to make a decision last week and that has been the case this week as well.
“I enjoyed taking the team for Falkirk despite the sudden nature of events. That has carried on this week and things have been more settled. That enabled me to better prepare the players for meeting Hibs and hopefully that will show on Saturday.”
Craig Stewart
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