FULL OF HOT AYR
McCall has the last laugh after lashing out over the coaching claim of Neilson
AYR UNITED manager Ian McCall last night launched a blistering verbal attack on counterpart Robbie Neilson — claiming the Dundee United boss had insisted Lawrence Shankland would receive ‘better coaching’ at Tannadice.
The in-form striker swapped Somerset Park for Tayside this summer but his return to his former club ended in disappointment after second-placed Ayr moved level on points with Championship leaders United.
Daniel Harvie’s early strike and Alan Forrest’s second-half penalty sealed the points — but Ayr’s victory was overshadowed by McCall’s astonishing post-match outburst towards Neilson.
‘When they (Dundee United) signed some of our players in the summer, there were quotes coming from them that they’d be getting better coaching,’ said McCall.
‘It didn’t look it today — they are welcome to send Lawrence down and we’ll give him a week’s coaching, not a problem.
‘I thought we just passed it around them today. They were big and strong but that’s about it. It was a thoroughly deserved win.’
McCall claimed the quotes had come from Neilson and he added: ‘We were all unhappy about it. Granted they have better facilities, I get that, but you don’t say that.
‘(Livingston boss) Gary Holt took Robbie Crawford and his comments were that he wanted to continue the good education he got at Ayr. That’s all you’ve got to do in this game.’
Neilson responded: ‘If Ian has a problem about things, I’m sure he’ll tell me but I’d rather he did that to my face than through the media.
‘I’ve certainly got respect for Ian and think he’s a good manager and would hope that works both ways. Lawrence is an exceptional player and he got a very good grounding here and we hope he will go to the next level with us.’
United, who came into this clash after thrashing city rivals Dundee 6-2 before the international break, saw their 100-per-cent start to the league season come to an end.
Ayr scored after 10 minutes when Harvie found himself racing through on goal and, despite Liam Smith’s attempt to tackle, Harvie slotted the ball under goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist from 15 yards.
It was almost 2-0 to McCall’s men on 18 minutes. Mark Reynolds’ woeful header back to Siegrist was read perfectly by Michael Moffat but the goalkeeper diverted the striker’s effort behind.
When the visitors threatened, after 31 minutes, keeper Ross Doohan tipped Peter Pawlett’s free-kick over the bar. The Scotland Under-21 international repeated the trick a few minutes later when Calum Butcher let fly.
United were unlucky not to equalise on 57 minutes. Paul McMullan raced down the right and his cross was met by Louis Appere at the back post but his effort from 10 yards was saved by Doohan.
United were denied the leveller when substitute Nicky Clark met Appere’s cross but his header came back off the post.
They were made to rue that missed opportunity when Smith brought down Forrest in the box. The Ayr attacker took the responsibility and converted the ball into the bottomleft corner with 15 minutes left.
Neilson added: ‘I think Bobby Madden is a good referee but he’s missed an incident in the first half that looks a clear penalty.
‘Our performance in that first half was nowhere near good enough. The second half was much better and if we want to win the league, we need to perform for 90 minutes.’
AYR UTD (4-3-3): Doohan; Geggan, Muirhead, Roscoe, Harvie; Docherty, Kerr, Kelly; McCowan (Houston 85), Moffat, Forrest. Subs (not used): Hare-Reid, Doolan, Ecrepoint, McKenzie. Booked: Moffat, Harvie. DUNDEE UTD (4-4-2): Siegrist; L Smith, Brown (Harkes 66), Reynolds, Robson; McMullan, Butcher, Stanton (C Smith 81), Pawlett (Clark 72); Appere, Shankland. Subs (not used): Mehmet, Sporle, King, Watson. Booked: None. Referee: Bobby Madden. Attendance: 3,167.