McCall:We’rereadyfourstepupagainstHibees

AYR boss Ian McCall insists his side are facing one of the top four teams in the country at Easter Road.

The Honest Men have battered in an incredible 20 goals in five matches this season – including victory over Kilmarnock – but McCall admits facing Hibs is a huge step up.

McCall said: “This is a massive hike up in class for us. Hibs will be up there this season with Aberdeen and Rangers vying for second, third and fourth spot. It will be a tough game for Ayr.

“We beat Kilmarnock and the players can take confidence from that but Hibs are a better side.

“The players look fit and positive in everything they’ve done We’re scoring, playing some good attacking football with confidence.

“We can go and enjoy it and try and get a positive results. I don’t think we’ll have as much as the ball in this game but it’s a cup tie. Anything can happen.

“The biggest game for Ayr this week is our league match against Forfar and I’m sure Neil Lennon will say the same with Hibs facing Rangers.

“We don’t want to get beat but we know we’re big underdogs. Easter Road is one of the great stadiums to play in and the pitch is fantastic.”

McCall will be without key players Jamie Adams and Robbie Crawford for the trip to Edinburgh.

Adams suffered a broken cheekbone in four places, a broken nose and a fractured eye socket in the 5-1 win over Albion Rovers at the weekend with Crawford on the receiving end of a cruncher that has ruled him out.

McCall said: “They have been two important players and we’ll miss them.”