CAN- DO ATTITUDE
McCall says Ayr won’t treat Bairns clash lightly as he vows his side are in IRN- BRU Cup to win it
Ian McCall insists Ayr are in it to win it when they pitch up in the IRN- BRU Cup on Friday evening.
United are on a run of only one defeat in six and want to keep the momentum flowing when Falkirk visit Somerset Park.
On- loan Burnley striker Jamie Thomas, who has spent most of the season on the bench, is in line to start and there may be one or two other changes.
But Kevin Nisbet is cup tied with Partick and misses out.
Boss McCall scotches any notion that the much- maligned tournament might not be taken too seriously.
And he is adamant that he wants Falkirk’s scalp in the last 16 to keep up Ayr’s good form.
McCall said: “You enter every tournament wanting to win and it’s the same with every game you play. Imagine the excitement an Ayr v Hibs final would generate.
“When it was the Challenge Cup, I won it twice, once as a manager with Airdrie and as a player with Falkirk when we beat St Mirren 3- 0 in the snow at Fir Park.”
McCall believes Thomas deserves his chance but has been pushed down the pecking order by the rapid rise of Craig McGuffie.
He admits: “I didn’t expect Craig to come through so quickly but he is now a first- team player. However, Jamie deserves a wee go.”
The kick- off has been brought forward to Friday ( 7.45pm) with reduced prices of £ 12 and £ 6 to allow fans to take in Scotland’s World Cup qualifier against Lithuania at Hampden on Saturday night.
McCall said: “I hope we get a good crowd because the players are doing everything to deserve one.
“They are now finding their feet in the Championship and two or three have been excellent.
“Gary Harkins will be better for another week’s training and his arm is moving much better, while we have still to see the best from Paul Cairney, who is proven at this level.
“The only game we have lost in the last six was at Falkirk when we were better team and should have won.
“We were disappointed not to beat Dunfermline, who are a big club, but I was pleased with the performance.
“If any team was going to win, it was us and we should have had a penalty.”
Meanwhile, there is better news on on- loan Motherwell striker Craig Moore who has been out since July 19 with concussion after being crocked against St Mirren.
McCall revealed: “He started jogging on Sunday but it’s hard to put a timespan on his comeback.
“He was my No 1 target in the summer and is our top striker but his health is the most important thing.”
Ayr are a huge 17/ 4 to beat Falkirk, who are 4/ 6 favourites. McBookie. com make the draw 14/ 5. United to win to win half- time and full- time is 8/ 1.