PREMIER PROOF

Kerr urges Somerset stars to show they are at same level as Saints

Ayr boss Mark Kerr has challenged his players to prove they belong in the Premiership.

United will go for their second top- level scalp in a month when facing St Johnstone this Saturday.

A place in the last eight of the Scottish Cup awaits — and Kerr says his confident side can’t wait to have a crack.

The player/ manager said: “It’s a great stage for some of our lads to go out and prove themselves.

“They will want to go and beat another top- flight team and show they can handle that level.

“St Johnstone are a good side and will set up to be very tough to beat.

“Their manager, Tommy Wright, will no doubt be telling his players that Somerset is a tough place to come and they will be well prepared.

“But so will we and we’ll work hard on a game plan to beat them.”

Kerr ( left), though, is an injury doubt after coming off at Par tick on Friday night nursing a tight back.

Midfielder Ross Docherty is also set to miss out after tweaking his hamstring at Firhill.

That could mean an instant debut for on loan Middlesbrough kid, Connor Malley, who joined up with the United squad this week.

Kerr also has Grant Gillespie to call on, with options in the middle of the park now significantly boosted.

He said: “We’re on a good unbeaten run, so we’re never going to be changing three or four players at a time.

“But injuries might dictate a couple this week, so we’ll wait and see.

“The good thing is we have options now and the squad is looking far better.”

Kris Doolan and Craig McGuffie were released from their deals as part of late activity in the transfer window.

Livingston striker Scott Tiffoney, whose brother Jonathan played for Ayr, has joined on loan from Livingston.

Teenage full- back Michael Hewitt has gone to League

Two Annan Athetic for the rest of the season.

A large travelling support is expected to make its way from Perth for Saturday’s Scottish Cup clash.

Saints had already sold almost 800 tickets as the Post went to press.

The club’s Burns Supper, being held this Friday night in the Ally MacLeod Suite, is now sold out.

One of the country’s leading Burnsians, John Shirkie, will deliver the Immortal Memory.