‘It’s a good tie’: Ayr await Kelty in fourth round as boss reacts
KELTY HEARTS player/ boss Michael Tidser revealed he missed the start of Sunday’s fourth round draw in the Scottish Cup - and watching his team’s number come up live.
The New Central Park outfit booked their place in the hat thanks to a superb 2-0 win at League One rivals Hamilton Academical on Saturday, with second half strikes from Reece Lyon and Lewis Moore.
Following last season’s third round exit to Partick Thistle, the success in South Lanarkshire sent them into round four for the first time since 2022, when they memorably defeated holders St Johnstone, before losing to St Mirren in the last 16.
If they are to reach that stage this time around, they’ll have to get the better of Championship side Ayr United, who were the first team picked out during the draw.
Kelty, who have never before played the Honest Men, will go to Somerset Park on the weekend of January 20, and Tidser told Press Sport: “It’s funny because I actually put Sportscene on, and there was six balls out, and I had to press the wee button to go back and start, then fast-forwarded to the start of the draw, and saw Ayr United.
“It’s a good tie, isn’t it? Ayr are favourites; they’re a good side, they’re a division above us, but if you want to do well, you need to win games. We’ll show them a lot of respect and we’ll do our homework on them. I know a few of the boys that play there, and when it comes around, we’ll be going all guns blazing and taking it from there.”
Before then, Kelty will be looking to continue an impressive league start under Tidser that sees them sit fourth in League One.
Bottom side Edinburgh City, who they have defeated in both the Viaplay Cup and the league in two meetings this season, visit New Central Park on Saturday, with Tidser’s side confident following their cup exploits, which followed a 3-1 success at Queen of the South.
“I said to them before the game I wanted to go toe-to-toe in the Scottish Cup. If you lose you lose, but we don’t lose without a fight, and we showed that in abundance in terms of our shape, our discipline, and how we hurt them on the break quickly,” Tidser continued.
“I’ll be honest with you, when I watched the highlights back, I didn’t realise we had loads of chances, especially second half when they’re chasing the game a wee bit. We rode our luck, they miss a sitter, but we get our goals at good moments, and then we saw the game out.
“I’m really proud of the boys and it’s great for the club to be in the next round. It’s something else to look forward to.
“That’s back-to-back wins against two full-time clubs in our league, albeit one’s the cup, but that takes a lot of hard work.
“I know the boys are putting the effort in.
“There’s no doubt about it.
“I feel it, I’m on the park with them.
“Nobody will slack off.” Despite beating Edinburgh twice this season, Tidser expects a tough test, but says his boys should be buoyant and full of confidence “so we’ll hopefully take that into the game”.
Tidser should have a fully fit squad available other than captain, Tam O’Ware, who could be a couple of weeks from an injury return.