The Doonhamers travel to Fife to take on Kelty Hearts this weekend sitting in fourth spot but knowing any slip-ups could be punished by Alloa Athletic, who are breathing down Queens’ neck.
And for the MacIntyres, sibling bragging rights are on the line too. Oscar is yet to taste victory over his brother as Kelty have been victorious in all three leagues encounters between the pair this campaign.
But Oscar knows the perfect time for that to change is now. Despite being under the same roof he insists there’ll be little fighting talk or banter before the big game.
He said: “We don’t really speak about it but there’s a few digs after the games. Mostly they’ve been from him because they’ve won but I want to put that right on Saturday.
“My parents will hate when Saturday comes, they’ve been at the other games we’ve played against each other and they don’t like seeing us tackling each other.
“They want us to keep as far away as possible from each other on the pitch during the game but I definitely want to get the better of Jacob.”
Oscar was named man of the match for his role in Queens’ 2-1 victory over Montrose last time out. That’s now three wins on the bounce and five unbeaten for Queens – who look like they starting to click at this crucial stage of the season.
Oscar added: “Last Saturday was a massive victory, it’s in our hands still and we’ve got to do our job in the last three matches.
“I think we have been more focused in the recent weeks. We’re gutted that we weren’t fighting for the title but we want to make up for that by getting into the play-offs.”
But many Queens supporters going on Saturday will travel there knowing their side has a rotten record against their opponents – especially at New Central Park where they are yet to win.
In many Queens fans’ eyes, Kelty have become the new hoodoo boys but Palmy gaffer Peter Murphy has rubbished any chat of a jinx.
He said: “There’s a real togetherness in the team. It’s all about us and what we do. I know for the media, it’s about trying to say it’s a hoodoo but we don’t look at it like that.
“The only thing I’ll take into account is that they have new management under Tam O’Ware and maybe they’ve reverted back to how they were playing earlier in the season. We’ll be looking at ways of how we can be successful against them.”
Murphy revealed Mikey Hewitt, Kyle Doherty and Niall Rogerson could be back for the Doonhamers on Saturday.
