The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Thomas hopes to get the better of mentor when Dunfermline visit Dumfries
Dom Thomas insists the mercurial Stephen Dobbie was his ideal mentor at Queen of the South.
Now the student is determined to become the master.
Thomas, 23, enjoyed two separate loan spells with the Dumfries outfit in 2017 and 18 and has nothing but praise for the Queens talisman, lauding his talent and nurturing style with the younger players at the club.
However, sentiment will be put to one side at Palmerston this afternoon when Thomas returns in the colours of Dunfermline.
“I spent a loan spell down at Queens and I relished the chance to get back playing football again,” said the midfielder.
“The manager may have changed but there are still a few boys I know well down there. I’m hoping they don’t fancy giving me a wee kick on Saturday!
“I still keep in contact with Stephen Dobbie, in particular. He’s a brilliant, experienced player and it is always good to be able to chat to a guy like that and learn from him.
“He’s a wonderful forward and has proven that over the years, scoring goals, creating chances and he really is a joy to watch sometimes.
“He was great, on and off the pitch, for the full team at Queens. He has a wealth of experience in football and was always great with the lads coming through.
“I was a younger player when I went to Queens on loan and he was brilliant with me. I learned so much from him, whether in training or on match days. I’ll just be hoping he has a rare off-day.”
Thomas has immediately hit the ground running since arriving on loan from Kilmarnock, turning in a manof-the-match showing in the Pars’ 2-0 triumph against Dundee last Friday night.
He has swiftly filled the boots of fellow Rugby Park midfielder Greg Kiltie, who was recalled by boss Alex Dyer earlier in January.
“Greg’s a great player, has a great attitude and when he was given a chance at Kilmarnock I felt he did well,” continued Thomas.
“Hopefully he goes back to Killie and gets his chance – because I’m sure he’ll take it.
“I’ve got 18 months left on my contract at Kilmarnock, I just signed a new deal last summer, so I’ve got some time left. But the important thing was to get out, play some games and impress.
“You never know what is round the corner so you need to keep pushing, impressing and who knows where that will take you?”
Meanwhile, Queens Park Rangers midfielder Dylan Duncan is convinced he can make an impact north of the border after joining the Pars on loan.
The 21-year-old former Spurs trainee has penned an agreement for the remainder of the campaign after impressing Pars boss Stevie Crawford in training.
Duncan took in the Fifers’ 2-0 victory over Dundee last Friday and is ready to battle it out with the likes of Tom Beadling, Kyle Turner, Joe Thomson and skipper Paul Paton for a midfield berth.
Crawford said: “We are excited with him and the fact that he is signing on loan until the end of the season will give competition for places in there.
“When I spoke to Dylan I said that there are a number of midfield players at the club.
“It is going to be a big challenge for him to try and oust a few and get in there. But he thinks that he can come in and do a job for us.”