Rovers boss planning Ayr raid UP FOR THE CUP

Brian Reid knows Albion Rovers are big underdogs to sink his old side Ayr in the Scottish Cup - but he insists they are capable of a shock as they’re a “different animal” this season.

Rovers fell at the first hurdle last term to Highland League Buckie Thistle, but they negotiated their way past another Highland side in Brora this season to earn a crack at the Honest Men in Saturday’s third round tie.

The Cliftonhill gaffer, who was in charge at Ayr from 2007-2012, is relishing his return to Somerset Park and says they must believe they can upset the odds.

He said: “People think Albion Rovers: small club, small budget, they aren’t going to win this game.

“We are always the underdogs for some reason in every game this season.

“I don’t know why they do that because for the last couple of seasons Albion Rovers certainly haven’t been that in every game.

“Somerset is a tough place to go as I well know being manager there for five years.

“But we’ve got a mentality at the club now that that won’t be the case. “The players have a belief in themselves that we can win at different venues.

“We will be big underdogs at Ayr United but I think we are a different animal these days. Anyone underestimating us will maybe be in for a shock. We’ve got to have belief - or we are wasting our time even turning up.”

There’s a potential money-spinning tie lying in wait for the winners, with the Premiership sides entering at the fourth round stage.

And Reid added: “We know what is at stake. It would be good to get a result and a big club in the next round.”

Familiar foes Brian Reid will face his old club