Dobbie determined to reach double century of goals

HE ADMITS the finishing line may be just over the horizon but Stephen Dobbie is not done with setting targets as he enters the 17th season of a sparkling career. The prolific Queen of the South striker, who will turn 37 in December, has set his sights on reaching 200 senior goals before he hangs up his boots. Dobbie has already added two goals this season to the 43 he scored during his outstanding campaign last year. While he will miss the first few league games as he recovers from a ‘small’ hamstring tear, he cannot wait to get back out onto the pitch and find the back of the net once again. ‘I’ve scored 153 goals for Queens,’ said Dobbie, whose previous clubs include Rangers, Hibernian, Swansea and Crystal Palace. ‘I couldn’t turn round now and say I’m going to retire at the end of the season. I’m definitely not going to be. To get to 200 would obviously be great. ‘In my mind, I’ll be playing next season. You never know, injury-wise, how it’s going to go. ‘At my age, you wake up every morning with different things. Your knee’s sore or whatever. ‘If I’m doing the job for the team and I still feel I’m doing the right thing for me, then I’ll keep going. I’ll know the day when it feels like the legs have gone. ‘Every goal I score now is special. That’s been the same all my career. But maybe now, when I’m coming towards the end, it’s a bit more special every time. ‘But helping the younger boys, especially the young strikers coming through at the club, and showing how I dedicate myself on and off the pitch is important. I try to set an example.’ Dobbie was one of Europe’s most prolific strikers last season, outscoring the continental heavyweights of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe. The striker’s form had many fans scratching their heads as to why he was plying his trade in the Scottish Championship. But Dobbie is convinced there is no better place to end his career than Palmerston. ‘I’ll be finishing my career at Queens,’ said Dobbie. ‘I have had a few offers over the years but giving back what Queens have given me is important. I enjoy going in every day for this club. I like giving back to this club. Unless it was an unbelievable move, I’ll be at Queens for the rest of my career.’