Burn’s Honest Men pulled off an Old Firm double
ST MIRREN will be looking to turn their season around today when they host Ayr United in the quarter-final of the Irn-Bru Cup.
The Saints have gone through tough times recently, but one good victory can sometimes create a big upsurge in confidence.
Ayr and St Mirren had a couple of titanic battles back in season 1959- 60 when both matches ended in a 4-3 victory for the home side.
The campaign started poorly for the newly-promoted Honest Men but suddenly burst into life.
They hadn’t managed to record a single point before thrashing Motherwell’s famous Ancell Babes, then going on to record memorable away victories against Rangers and Celtic.
One of the stars of a great Ayr side was young defender, Ramsay Burn.
His success was typical of the way things changed for the team.
He recalled: “I grew up as a Third Lanark supporter. I was a ball boy at the club and a season- ticket holder.
“So I was delighted when my debut in Scotland’s top division came against Thirds at Cathkin Park.
“Unfortunately for me, Joe McInnes was on the left wing and I was at right-back.
“He just took the mickey out of me that afternoon and we were beaten 5-0.
“I thought I might never play again, but I stayed in the team to play Motherwell the following week.
“Something just clicked in the side, Peter Price scored a hat-trick and we beat them 5-2.
“From there we beat Rangers 3-0 at Ibrox and, at the start of November, we had a 3-2 victory over Celtic at Parkhead.
“There was a great blend of youth and experience at the club.
“I had been recruited in the summer along with the former Hibs defender, Jock Paterson.
“He had won the title at Easter Road and played for the Scottish League. He was a real steadying influence.
“Former Rangers player Willie Paton was my mentor at Somerset Park.
“When you got the ball, he always seemed to be just 10 yards away and ready to accept it.
“You made the pass and everyone thought you were playing well.
“We had a great season, finished eighth and could have played in the Fairs Cup if our floodlights had been up to scratch.”
Ramsay had gone to Ayr straight from Junior football with Pollok.
He went on: “I had a whole host of clubs interested in me when I played in a match for Scotland Juniors against Rangers at Ibrox.
“I had the most awful game of my career and most of the interest faded away.
“But I was then asked to come and speak to Ayr manager, Jackie Cox.
“I played a couple of trial matches and was signed up.”
Ramsay enjoyed his football under the guidance of Cox and rarely missed a match. He said: “Jackie was very fond of my wife. “The first time I met him he said: ‘ You ken thon lassie with the miniskirt you were with? Are you going to merri’ her?’ “Well, I did, and we’re still together! “I was part-time during my football days. I was an apprentice at a publishing firm and that meant I didn’t have to do National Service.
“I didn’t fancy that because it would have meant being away from the lassie with the miniskirt!”
Ramsay, now 78, lives in Glasgow and spends a lot of time of the golf course.