Testing time for Thomas at Rugby Park

“All credit to the manager he gives us the freedom to go out and play and express ourselves. It is brilliant and really the reason that I am here.”

Eight matches for Dunfermline while on his curtailed loan from Kilmarnock between January and March this year, gave Dom Thomas the taste for what it was like playing for to Dunfermline. His first home match since making his move to Dunfermline permanent in June only confirmed to him that he had done the right thing:-

“When I was here I loved it and I felt that I performed very well. I just think that the way the gaffer wants to play suits me perfectly. Hopefully I can keep playing, performing and take the club as high as we can.”

Tuesday night’s game creates a speedy return for Dom to his former club and for the Pars it is eight years since they last played at Rugby Park. Dom is hoping Dunfermline can continue their Betfred Cup winning form there on Tuesday. The 24 year old has sympathy for his former club’s required isolation due to Covid-19 but regardless of any doubts over whether it will actually take place, he is remaining focused on the match:-

“I don’t really know what the situation is just now but we are going to treat it as if it is on. We will prepare for the game and the manager has told us that we will treat it as any other game albeit there might be a bit of uncertainty about it. We are looking to go and get another three points, ultimately we want to win this group.”

Dom admitted that he enjoyed good times at Kilmarnock where he made 40 appearances, but he treats every game as the same.

“We will set out to go and win that game, put on another good performance and hopefully get a clean sheet. I think if we can keep clean sheets this season with the attacking presence that we have got, I think we will win the majority of games.”

Dom has spoken to a few of his former team mates at Killie but unfortunately they are in isolation just now so (thankfully) confessed that had just been phone calls and FaceTimes.

“The confusing thing is that they are in isolation until Thursday and the game is on Tuesday so they don’t really know how the game is going ahead. They have not spoken to anybody at the club obviously because they are in isolation, but whatever team Kilmarnock field we will be ready for them.”

The confident tone comes after the Friday night win over a good Falkirk team. Dom played a major part in the victory with assists for both Euan Murray’s goals and the Betfred Man of the Match Award, he reflected:-

“I know that it means a lot to the fans to win over Falkirk. I thought the boys did really well to ultimately get the win and a clean sheet. In every game, I love playing football and love getting on the ball. It really suits me in this team, the way we play because we like to get it wide and create things. All credit to the manager he gives us the freedom to go out and play and express ourselves. It is brilliant and really the reason that I am here.”

A product of the Motherwell youth system Dom was subsequently signed by Kilmarnock in July 2017 but did have loan spells at both Queen of the South and Dumbarton. While he was at Queen of the South he played with former Pars youth player Scott Mercer and the two came up against each other directly on Friday night. Dom said he knew him well but was uncertain if that had helped:-

“I actually played in front of Scott on the right at Queen of the South. Scott is a good player but I am glad on the night that we got the better of him.

Above: Scott Mercer fights Dom Thomas for the ball

“When you win the first duel and go past your opponent it gives you that confidence and maybe puts a bit of fear in the defender. The team knows that and if I am on it, they know to give me the ball and create things. I am glad I got the two assists for big Muzz. The main thing for us is getting the win and the clean sheet is a bonus.”

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