AYR UNITED
Boal insists Juniors are ready LINING UP FOR SHANKS McCall wants Somerset cauldron for Ton
Beith president John Boal insists his club are relishing their Scottish Cup clash with Ayr United.
Bellsdale Park is set to welcome a large United travelling support a week on Saturday.
But Boal played down concerns over his club’s readiness for the tie. A string of English league giants are to test Ayr’s resolve over Lawrence Shankland in January.
Swansea City lead the chase for the 21goal striker, who has been linked with a switch away from Somerset.
Sunderland had Shankland watched on Saturday and are among the clutch of interested clubs south of the border.
Boss Ian McCall said: “It is very much our aim to keep Lawrence until the end of the season.
“But there’s no doubt there will be interest come January.”
He said: “We’re not getting ideas above our station – we know we’re a Junior club.
“But this ground has hosted the likes of Morton and Airdrie in the last few years, so we’ll be ready.”
Ayr have already sold 600 of their 1000 ticket allocation with a general sale now underway.
Boal, right, added: “It’s not like this is a public park.
“Our game with Ayr is the tie of the round and will be a fantastic occasion.
“We’re making history by being the first Ayrshire junior team to play an Ayrshire senior team in the Scottish Cup and we cannot wait for the day to come round.”
Ian McCall wants Ayr fans to turn up the noise for their biggest game in YEARS.
United can go seven points clear at the top of the Championship by beating Morton on Saturday.
But McCall insists the Somerset Park faithful must rise to the occasion and play their part.
He said: “I’ve been the first to praise our fans in recent weeks, particularly on the road where we must have one of the best supports in Scotland.
“But for whatever reason, Somerset was very flat on Saturday against Queen of the South. The fans need to realise what a big part they can play in these games.
“A great example was the Falkirk game earlier this season when the place took off in the second half. We need more of that and this Saturday is as big a game as I can remember.”
Ayr have the chance to forge further clear at the summit with both Ross County and Dundee United idle.
And McCall admits there could be changes following United’s first dropped home points.
He said: “There might be one or two disappointed players because it’s not like anyone is playing badly.
“But the balance of the team maybe needs tweaked a little.
“We maybe had about 70 per cent of the ball on Saturday and weren’t anywhere near clinical enough.
“Our final pass just wasn’t there.”
Ayr will welcome back Andy Geggan from illness, while Jamie Adams is expected to miss at least a fortnight with a thigh strain.