Who is next at Palmy helm?

WHO will be next in the Palmerston hotseat? That is indeed the pondering question the Queen of the South faithful are now asking. Peter Murphy will depart after the board of directors decided not to renew his contract following play-off heartbreak. The former Annan Athletic gaffer had been tasked – and well-backed – to get the Dumfries club back into the Championship. But after two attempts, Murphy and his backroom staff failed, so it seemed inevitable that he wouldn’t be on the touchline for next campaign. At the club’s recent AGM, chairman Billy Hewitson revealed that Murphy had a clause in his contract that if he did indeed secure promotion then it would trigger a new deal. But the promotion dream didn’t come to fruition and after the Stenhousemuir loss, the club announced on Monday afternoon that Murphy would depart once his contract was up. Since the news, fans been speculating who will be the new Palmy chief. Some have suggested ex-Queens captain John Rankin, former midfielder Rhys McCabe, Kris Doolan or even Nicky Clark. But whoever it is will have to navigate their way through a tough-looking League One – which includes newly-regelated Ross County, Airdrieonians and third tier champs East Kilbride – with a reduced budget, which was hinted at during the shareholders meeting earlier this month. However, back to Saturday’s heartbreaking play-off failure up at Ochilview. Key figures Reece Lyon and Clark, who both scored during the two legs, missed their crucial spot-kicks. Lyon slipped to send his effort over the crossbar, whilst Clark saw his attempt saved by goalkeeper Darren Jamieson. It comes after keeper Ross Stewart made a great save to deny Matty Aitken from the spot. The shot-stopper got his paws on another couple of penalties but couldn’t keep them out. Speaking immediately after the match, a raw and honest Murphy reflected on the devastating conclusion. He said: “Two of the players who missed the penalties have been unbelievable for us this season. It’s really unfortunate but that’s the lottery of penalties. “We didn’t do enough to win the game but we showed character coming back twice. It’s been a feature of our game in the last few months but we should be giving ourselves the chance of going ahead in games but we couldn’t do that. “It’s a bit raw. The players are devastated in the changing room. It’s a big moment in the game where you wouldn’t expect that as the pitch wasn’t slippy. “Nicky missed too and he was excellent for us. He scored twice but he didn’t do it. “I feel really sorry for them because I know it hurts for us all. I’m sure they will feel they are to blame. “Nicky is an older, experienced player but he’s devastated and in tears. It shows how much it meant for him.”