Voice of Reason
Shooting from the lip
Game On
The Ayrshire Derby. One of football’s greatest fixtures.
You’ll go a long way in the world and sample many so- called rivalries.
But few will match the purity of what we’re about to witness on Friday night.
Tribal loyalty is an overused phrase. Especially in football.
But let’s not beat around the bush. Neither side of the Ayrshire divide has much love for the other.
One look to the left of this page is just the tip of the iceberg stuff. Chip on the shoulder? Maybe. Ayr fans resent living in the shadow of their county cousins.
And rightly so, given the relative size and scope of both towns.
But in the shadows it is, and that means all- too limited cracks at them up the road.
Eight long years since the last Ayrshire derby at Somerset Park.
A statistic in itself that gets the juices flowing.
And you have to go back 24 years for Killie’s last win on the hallowed turf.
But, on the terraces, there’s no doubting this could have come at a better time.
Will the atmosphere be white hot come kick off on Friday? You bet.
But would a Scottish Cup tie on a freezing cold January pull double the home gate? Assuredly.
Nonetheless, for £ 12 a pop, these are tickets well worth having.
Television has seen fit to roll into town and BT Sport will beam its impressive brand of coverage around the nation.
It goes without saying that Ayrshire is under the microscope here.
And, for all that the rivalry is intense, let’s hope both sides of the divide do us proud in that respect.
We are on the national stage and must put on a show both on and off the park.
And when we land a penalty in front of the Somerset Road End?
May the ghost of Andy Walker be with us.
In The Swing
Another major sporting event coming to our shores this week.
The Scottish Open golf tees off just up the coast at Dundonald Links.
And some big hitters are rocking up to give Ayrshire yet another economic boost.
Another reminder, as if we needed it, that we truly have it great in this part of the world.
Tipping Corner
Nino Pajovic leads off with Rafa Cabrera- Bello in the golf. He says the 50/ 1 each way is top value.
Bookie Dave Allen is all over Zach Johnson at 25/ 1 to land the spoils on his home course in the John Deere Classic.
And the VoR hails the return of the football season.
It’s a QoS/ St Mirren double for me.