Striker Robert Thomson got his Brechin goal tally up and running last week when he hit home the third goal as the Glebe Park side defeated East Fife 3-0. It was however the striker’s second goal at the Angus ground this season and he is hoping to add a few more and help Ray McKinnon’s men into a Pay-Off spot.
The former Dundee United front man joined Brechin just over a fortnight ago, ironically in the hours after they had beaten his previous club Dunfermline Athletic 3-2, and he was a substitute in his first game against Rangers before starting against the New Bayview men last Saturday.
Thomson said: “It was good to get a goal and to be honest it is always a bit of a relief to get your first goal at a new club.”
It was a fine goal where good technique was required however Thomson was being modest as he said: “I was glad to get it and it was a pretty decent hit with a lob from the left hand side of the pitch but their goalkeeper was caught well out of his goal. I had plenty of time to lift it over him.”
“It was the third goal and sealed a good win for Brechin which was important. We had been on a decent run of results before the Rangers game the other week when we lost 2-1 so it was important to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.”
McKinnon’s men now sit fifth some four points behind Stranraer however they have played three more games than Stranraer so it is a case of winning and hoping others drop points between now and the end of the season.
Thomson said: “The play-offs are the target that we are aiming for. There is still a bit of time until the end of the season and we will be doing all that we can to make them.”
The 20 yard old is determined to make an impact at Brechin after a couple of close encounters in his career as he explained: “I was with Dundee United for 4 years as a full time player before leaving last summer and heading for Dunfermline. I played in the United first team a couple of times with my first experience being as a second half substitute against St Mirren last March.”
“That game finished goalless however my other first team game ended 1-1.”
That draw was a bit special for Thomson as he explained: “Again I came on as a substitute but it was with just two minutes to go in a Dundee Derby at Tannadice. United were losing 1-0 but we managed to equalise during my time on the park when Michael Gardyne popped up with a goal.”
“It was a great experience and to be honest that one minute ticked a lot of boxes of what you should experience in a football career. It was great to be involved in a derby, great to be involved in a game where your team scored a last minute equaliser.”
“It was also great to see the look on the faces of the fans when we scored as you could see just how much that equaliser meant to them.”
Thomson may not have scored for Jackie McNamara’s side but he had found the net in senior football ahead of those two substitute appearances.
“I started last season out on loan at Alloa and scored my first goals with them,” said Thomson before adding: “I joined Alloa in the August and stayed until the January and made my debut in a 1-1 draw against East Fife.”
“I scored twice in my second game against Albion Rovers which was good especially as one of them was a decent overhead kick effort. I got another 3 goals there which was not a bad introduction to the game at a senior level.”
Thomson’s time at Tannadice ended and he has played League 1 football since as he explained: “After leaving United in the summer I got the chance to join Dunfermline. That was a great opportunity as it still full time football.”
“They gave me a six month contract and I really enjoyed it at the beginning as I was playing a lot however I dropped out of things. Not playing is not that enjoyable even though there is a great bunch of lads at East End Park.”
There was a parting of the ways with the Pars last month and Thomson was pleased to get the opportunity to play football as he said: “I got the chance to join Brechin and I was delighted to do so as they are well-known for being a good club. It is my first time as a part-time player but I am enjoying it and one of the reasons for that is that there is a very positive environment to work in here.”
“Training is of a very good standard and there are good players to play with. I must like Glebe Park as well as that is where I scored for Dunfermline earlier in the season in a game that ended 1-1. It is pretty good going to score at the same ground twice in the same season for different teams.”
Another former United and Dunfermline player was behind the move with Thomson advising: “When my contract ended at Dunfermline a few clubs came in for me but it was quite easy to agree to sign for Brechin. Ryan Ferguson who was with me at United and Dunfermline had a loan spell here last season and he went back just days before I signed.”
“He only said positive things about the club and as well as that there are good players here. I played up front with Andy Jackson and I knew he was good before I came, I just did not realise how good he was until I played with him over the last couple of weeks. He is quality and just seems to pop up everywhere when you are attacking.”
“Brechin are a team well known for playing attacking football and that is no surprise when you have guys like Bobby Barr and Derek Carcary in your line up.”
Wins are essential for a play-off charge and Thomson and his new team-mates face a tricky test this weekend with the striker saying: “We are away to Airdrie this weekend and that will be a really hard game as they have started picking up points under Gary Bollan. I played in the game when Dunfermline beat them 2-1. However they won at East End recently and will need careful watching.”
“A repeat of the Dunfermline win would be great as we need to build up some more momentum for a push on the play-offs.”
Thomson finished by saying: “On an individual level I just want to be playing football regularly and if I do that in a team that is winning well everyone is happy. I want to help them get into the Play-Offs and that would be terrific.”
“My deal runs out in the summer and I will worry about next season once this one is out of the way.”
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