SHANKS NOT A LONE STAR
AYR UTD v INVERNESS EUAN McLEAN
IAN McCALL reckons Lawrence Shankland’s scoring prowess hogs the limelight from the star quality throughout his table-topping Ayr team.
Tonight they’ll all have a chance to showcase their class for a live TV audience when they face Inverness at Somerset Park.
And McCall admits the cameras could be spoiled for choice to pick out a top performer from his miserly defence – or in 26-goal Shankland’s strike partner Craig Moore, whose own goals ratio still trumps highly-rated hitmen such as Alfredo Morelos.
McCall said: “Although one player takes all the headlines remember we’ve only lost one goal in seven so defensively we’re strong too.
“I sometimes feel for Craig Moore because his stats are unbelievable too. He’s scored 49 goals from 69 appearances which trumps almost every player at every other club.
“I read the other day Morelos’ strike rate is one every three-and-a-half games – well Shankland and Moore obliterate that.
“Obviously Lawrence is the focal point but he’s fine with it all. He’s a popular boy in the dressing room and isn’t letting any of this affect him. He just keeps on doing what he does.
“People sat up and took notice because he scored four against Dundee United but over the last 18 months he’s been scoring just about every week.
“He scored in his first appearance and has kept on since then as he’s got fitter and fitter. Whether we can keep him in January isn’t my decision but I hope so!
“We can only concentrate on what we have to do in every game. There’s no point trying to dampen the expectation of supporters because that’s the nature of what being a fan is.
“But I don’t feel any need to manage expectation in the dressing room. We go into each game thinking we can win it but we know this will be another tough game against Inverness.
“They’re the only team in the league we haven’t scored against this season, drawing 0-0 in Inverness,
“When they lost to Falkirk last weekend it was a first defeat in 13 games. In all competitions they’ve only lost three all season – an incredible record.
“The hard thing for Robbo has been turning those draws into wins and he’ll be coming down to Somerset for a win, no doubt about that.”
Jamie McCart believes Caley Thistle have been re-energised by Tuesday’s 6-1 Scottish Cup replay thrashing of League Two Edinburgh City.
McCart said: “To win it in such a way was a big confidence-booster for all of us, especially since we were overwhelming favourites.
“It was good to put down a statement like that and do it in such style.
“After our first defeat in the league against Falkirk, having to play an extra match in the Cup may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. It could give us the proverbial boot up the backside.”