WINITFORTHE FANS

Championship, Monday, kick-off 7.45pm

David Hopkin will urge his stars to create Ayrshire Derby history – for United fans locked out of Monday’s big kick-off.

The Ayr boss wants his team’s lack of support inside Rugby Park to act as extra inspiration.

And he insists The Honest Men will head to East Ayrshire looking to lay down an early marker against the league favourites.

He told the Post: “My job is to try and keep the players calm this week. But everyone knows what the game means to the club and supporters.

“For that reason, we’re gutted the fans can’t be there with us.

“These games are all about the atmosphere and I’m sure the fans would have given the boys a real lift on Monday.

“We now have to go out, concentrate on our football and do them proud.”

Covid restrictions, which are not due to be lifted until August 9, mean the vast majority of tickets for Rugby Park will go to Killie’s 3,500 season ticket holders.

That will leave Ayr fans glued to the action live on BBC Scotland. Hopkin said: “We have to be careful not to get too fired up. The boys are well aware of what the game means but at the same time you need to go out and do yourself justice in the game. “We’ve had Killie watched three times and know what they’re all about.

“They will no doubt see themselves as favourites but we certainly don’t see ourselves as having anything to fear. We’ve come through the Premier Sports Cup games without conceding a goal and that is breeding confidence.”

Hopkin, who this week added Rangers left-back James Maxwell on loan, also hopes to add another forward player in time for the clash.

He said: “James will offer us something different and gives us extra options down that left-hand side.”

Ayr’s reward for topping their Premier Sports Cup group is a last 16 home tie with Dundee United on the weekend of August 14/15.

United youngster Kinlay Bilham has joined Irvine Meadow on a season-long loan.