Harkins: Thistle be a special day for our boss
AYR UNITED v PARTICK THISTLE
GARY HARKINS insists Ian McCall should be given a hero’s welcome at Ayr this afternoon – but won’t hold his breath for him getting one.
The Partick midfielder reckons his boss worked miracles at Somerset Park before jumping ship back to the Jags.
It will be a day of mixed emotions for a man who steered Ayr into the Championship then mounted a title bid on a shoestring budget.
But Harkins, in his third spell working under McCall, believes the task of guiding Thistle off the foot of the table means there won’t be time for warm gestures.
He said: “Ian won’t admit it but there’s a sentimental side to him. He’ll always hold Ayr in his heart, it’s a club which will always be special and I hope he gets a good reception.
“That should be the case after all he’s given to the club but you can take nothing for granted. It could be that fans give him dog’s abuse for leaving.
“The manager’s frame of mind is simple, he wants to win for his club. He has achieved that to a degree since he came back, we’ve had a few good results and a few have been not so good.
“I’m sure over time he’ll bring success here. But he’ll probably say Ayr are now his second club.
“I don’t believe any other manager could have taken Ayr as far as Ian did.”
Another man with serious
Jags connections is Kris Doolan and the Ayr striker said: “A lot will be made of Ian coming back to Somerset Park but the focus will be on two teams going into a huge game and needing the points for different reasons.
“He’s held in the highest regard here for what he achieved and I’m sure the fans will acknowledge that.
“He had a brilliant spell at Ayr but he’s now trying to create something special with Thistle and we’re looking to keep pushing at the top of the table.”