Only best will do, warns boss
McCall warns his players against taking struggling St Mirren lightly
as the on- loan striker has already played for Partick in the cup.
Jamie Adams is doubtful with a groin problem while Brian Gilmour came off at half- time in the 3- 0 defeat by Hibs after still feeling the effects of a virus. McCall concedes he probably shouldn’t have played. Craig Moore is still sidelined with concussion but the manager reveals he is making good progress and will be like a new signing when he returns.
McCall, who took in the U20 clash between St Mirren and Partick on Tuesday afternoon, is thrilled by Alan Forrest’s Scotland U21 call- up.
Forrest was named in the squad to play Slovakia on Wednesday and McCall hopes that Craig McGuffie follows him into the U19s.
He said: “It’s great news for Alan and the club. I hope he gets game time and ready to go on Sunday. I have recommended McGuffie for the U19s. He must be close.”
United are bidding to recover from backtoback league defeats for the first time since August.
After a run of only two losses in 10 games, bookies make Ayr 5/ 4 favourites to win on Sunday with St Mirren 13/ 8. McBookie. com go 23/ 10 the draw.
Sunday’s tie kicks off at 12.30pm and will be televised live by Premier Sports.
Cottage Travel Club leave the Campbeltown Bar at 11am. Seats from Jamie on 07792 747 354.
Ayr 20s beat Inverness 6- 5 on a penalties after a 0- 0 extra- time draw in the Scottish Youth Cup on Sunday.
Team: Avci, Caldwell, Thorburn, Ballantyne, S Granger, Faulds, Hilton, Balfour, McKenzie, McGuffie, Murphy. Subs: Brotherston, C Granger, McCowan, Simpson, Brown, Madden, Wark.
Ian McCall has warned Ayr to ignore St Mirren’s dismal league form and pitch up with their Sunday best.
Crisis Saints are marooned at the foot of the table without a league win in 12 games.
But Somerset boss McCall ( right) insists Ayr won’t take their eye off the ball when they head to Paisley in the quarter- finals of the IRN- BRU Cup.
He said: “Reports came back that St Mirren dominated when losing to Dumbarton last weekend and should have won comfortably. All it takes is for one result to turn it around for them so we have to make sure it’s not against us. “There is a semi- final place up for grabs and that’s when this cup comes alive. “It’s a wee break from the league. Winning won’t be easy but we are capable of doing it — we are going there to try and win. “We drew 1- 1 with them in the league in August and gave away a poor equaliser right at the end but it shouldn’t have mattered as we should have been two or three up by then.” Ayr will be without cup- tied Kevin Nisbet