JACK Thomas insists Glasgow’s race isn’t run just yet – despite their title hopes sitting on a knife edge.
The teenager lines up against Newcastle at Ashfield tomorrow hoping to keep his club’s SGB Championship top four dream alive.
The Tigers must win their remaining home meetings and pick something up on the road if they’re to have any chance of grabbing one of the qualifying spots – with seven teams split by just 11 points at the top.
Even though they suffered heavy recent defeats against fellow challengers Berwick and Edinburgh, Thomas says racing on home shale for the first time in a month will provide a timely boost.
He said: “I can’t wait to get back to Glasgow because we’ve had a few call-offs of late.
“It’s been hard for me away from home – I haven’t been scoring much at a lot of the places and it makes you feel a bit silly, even though you’re trying your hardest.
“I just keep myself confident and trying to take the positives from it. It will be good to get back on my home track where I feel better.
“I think the boys can do it – I think we’ve got a real good team. Craig Cook has come in and he’s a great rider, and I think he’ll give us a good push to get a place in the play-offs and do some damage.
“I’m not going to give up and I don’t think anyone else is – we’re going to keep trying, keep pushing for everything and try to bring some points home.
“I’ve got a new engine and after a couple more matches it should help me get more points, which should be a confidence booster before our remaining away meetings. I’m going to give it 100%.”
Thomas, 19, has praised the efforts of others at the club in helping him during his debut Championship season.
“The boys have been pushing me. I’ve had a few points in the season where I’ve felt a bit low but they’ve picked me up,” he said.
“It’s the same with set-ups – everyone is helpful and you can’t fault them. I’ve really been enjoying my season this year and hopefully I can keep getting better.”
Tomorrow’s meeting is followed on Tuesday by the visit of Ipswich – with a home meeting against Edinburgh still to be rearranged.
The Tigers then travel to Ipswich and Lakeside mid-September in two meetings that could ultimately decide their fate.
Manager Cami Brown will operate rider replacement at No 2 tomorrow as Nathan Greaves has been sidelined again with injury, while Cook returns at No 1.
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