Fergie’s praise for Clyde’s mighty Quinn
CLYDE had teenage goalkeeper Connor Quinn to thank for keeping them in the Scottish Cup with a string of top-drawer saves to defy Ayr United.
The youngster only signed for Barry Ferguson’s outfit on Friday night.
But he instantly rose to the challenge with several stops that broke Ayr hearts in the 1-1 draw at Somerset Park.
Now the two teams will lock horns again in the replay at Broadwood tomorrow – with a quarterfinal home clash against Hibs or Hearts at stake.
Quinn was only signed because regular No.1 John Gibson was suspended.
But the 18-year-old former Livingston player showed no sign of nerves with an outstanding display between the sticks.
Manager Ferguson said: “I’m delighted for Connor. It’s never easy for a young boy.
“I like his attitude and he’s desperate to try and learn. He’s got a good appetite to learn and that’s something you don’t always see these days.”
Paul Cairney’s secondhalf equaliser denied the League two side a shock win over their Championship counterparts.
Clyde, the lowest-placed club left in the competition, took the lead when David Gormley swept home from 10 yards.
Sean Higgins’ low effort almost put the Bully Wee 2-0 ahead, but it came back off the post.
Ayr, who also hit the woodwork in the first half, levelled when Cairney’s strike found the bottom corner.
Ferguson added: “Obviously we’re delighted still to be in the hat, but we’re disappointed we didn’t win the game.
“Ayr have got a lot of good players and they’re in the Championship. We came here to win the game and we were close to winning it.”
Ayr manager Ian Mc- Call admitted keeper Quinn was the reason his side were not in the quarter-finals.
He said: “We had a lot of chances in the first half but their young goalie did very well. Clyde got their goal and we showed a bit of courage to come back.
“It’s a missed opportunity for us, but we’re still in the cup. We could have done without the game this Tuesday because we play Dumbarton a week today, which is a pretty big game for us.”