Still Buddie tough

Gary Harkins insists Ayr are going into their quarter-final with St Mirren the same as they have every other game this season – as underdogs.

They may be 10 points and three places clear of the Championship bottom dogs but playmaker Harkins, 31, said: “We’ve been second favourites in every game this season and we won’t be treating this one any differently.

“St Mirren may be struggling but there’s no doubt in my mind they’re in a false position.

“I looked at their squad at the start of the season and thought it was really solid quality – and I still do. They just need one result but we want to make sure it’s not this one.”

The former Palmerston captain is in caretaker charge after Gavin Skelton’s shock resignation last week.

A Stephen Dobbie double gave the 45- year- old and his a ss istant Graeme Robertson a winning start.

But Thomson – the only player to captain Queens in a Scottish Cup Final after they reached the showpiece in 2008 – insists he doesn’t want the top job on a permanent basis.

Asked if he fancied the post, Thomson (right) said: “No. I’ve given the chairman the same answer.

“The board and the chairman are well aware that I wouldn’t be interested in the job long term.

“I’ve been here 18 years so anything the club want me to do, I’ll do. It’s a good way of life for me. But as for ma na g i n g ? I t put s a restriction on myself and I don’t really like that.

“I’ll just look after the team until such times as the club appoint someone.

“It’s always difficult when a manager leaves but the biggest compliment I can pay is that the boys trained very well this week.

“It was a shock to me on Monday when Gav in resigned. I had a good working relationship with him. But it was his decision.”

Queens started well and carved out two chances inside three minutes.

Grant Anderson hit the bar with a looping header from Jamie Hamill’s cross before Dobbie’s d r i v e wa s turned wide by keeper Neil Parry.