NO HEIR UNITED FOR IAN
McCall’s Jags-daft son Edson hopes Partick spoil Ayr’s flag day party
IAN McCALL’S son might be watching from the terracing as Ayr hoist the League One flag at Somerset Park – but the Jags-daft teen will be there to cheer on their rivals.
Edson – named after Pele – didn’t speak to his dad for days after Lawrence Shankland’s wonder goal sealed a 2-0 defeat for Partick in the Betfred Cup clash last weekend.
Ayr manager McCall knows the 15-year-old’s now hoping Thistle get their revenge by spoiling the flag day party for his father’s side in today’s the Championship curtain-raiser.
He said: “Edson is coming with a group of friends who all support Thistle. He will have a Thistle scarf and top on at Somerset Park.
“He was a ball boy for us a couple of times in the past but gave it up to go to their games as a fan.
“When we beat Partick Thistle in the Betfred Cup last Saturday he did not speak to me until the Monday.
“I’m sure he appreciated Lawrence Shankland’s goal from 35 yards and felt we deserved to win. ”
Edson said: “I certainly did not appreciate Ayr’s second goal. Last Saturday was terrible.
“Hopefully Thistle can get revenge in this game. It would be good to start getting the better of them now.”
For goal hero Shankland this season is an opportunity to carve out a name for himself at Somerset Park.
The striker, 22, was labelled the “next big thing” at Aberdeen when he burst on to the scene in 2013 before being released last year. Now he wants to show his star quality at Somerset Park.
He said: “It’s a bit annoying when people keep referring to me as the ex-Aberdeen player. I was only a boy when I left Pittodrie.
“I feel I am a better player and person for that experience now. I would like to have achieved more at Aberdeen but it’s all in the past.
“I’m enjoying my football at Ayr as the boss has given me a lot of game time and shown real belief in me.”
Shankland repaid McCall’s faith in him with 29 goals in 33 games in League One last season to help the Honest Men bounce straight back up to the Championship.
And the hitman has picked up where he left off with seven goals in just four cup games but he’s wary of the threat of wounded Partick today.
Shankland said: “I have had a good start to the campaign and I just want to take my cup form into the league.
“This is a new game and it is the first of the Championship season. Partick will be right up for it and we are expecting a reaction from them.”
Thistle defender Thomas O’Ware will be charged with the task of putting the shackles on Shankland as he looks to get their title bid off to a flier.
He said: “Shanks has done well and has had a great start to the season but hopefully we put halt to that and get Partick get off to a good start in the league.
“The aim is for the Jags to win promotion this season and get back to the Premiership as quickly as possible. We know it will not be easy.”
When we beat Thistle in the cup last Saturday he did not speak to me until Monday IAN McCALL