QUEEN OF THE SOUTH striker Derek Lyle is not daunted by the Doonhamers' next four games - because he insists they have been punching above their weight all season.
Fourth-placed Queens face the rest of the Championship top five in the coming weeks, starting with today's trip to newly crowned champions Hearts. An away clash at Hibs and visits of Rangers and Falkirk, who are currently only one point behind James Fowler's side, are to follow but experienced former Dundee and Hamilton marksman Lyle admits he is looking forward to their punishing run of games.
He said: "We've got Hearts and Hibs away and Rangers and Falkirk at home. I would rather play at these big stadiums than go away to some lesser places.
"We're maybe punching above our weight when you consider the budgets the teams have around about us. If someone said at the start of the season we would be sitting fourth, we could have grabbed it - especially with the teams that are in the league.
"Hearts, Rangers and Hibs were always going to take the top three places. We're ahead of the rest although it's only a point and Falkirk probably have the better of the games coming up.
"But we're hoping we can clinch that play-off place. The boys speak in the dressing room and the plan is go have a go at Hearts and then have a go at Hibs.
"Then we have a game against Rangers and we'll have a go at them as well. We've got players than can hurt any team and hopefully we can put some chances away."
Queens have lost their three previous matches against Hearts this season and Lyle insists Robbie Neilson's side are worthy champions.
He added: "I would like to congratulate Hearts because they've been excellent this year. They've won the Championship and they'll be full of confidence going into this game.
"It's the first game since they won it so there'll be a good atmosphere there.
"I don't think Hearts will take their eye of the ball too much and Robbie won't allow them to do that anyway. It's going to be hard no matter what way you look at it."
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