No card feelings over red
spent the day behind the bar at the Wee Windaes pub a mile from Somerset that he’s had for the last 17 years.
“I bet ter not mention Killie,” laughed McSherry, also a well-kent face at Rugby Park.
“We were in the semi-final against a great Celtic team in the early 70s. Three-one.
“Jimmy Johnstone was incredible. I can remember the picture – six of us chasing him, we all stopped. It was like Keystone Cops.”
After Liverpool f ielded a team of kids – that still won – in the FA Cup last week, the significance of this cup is not lost on Jim. “What would Bill Shankly, who is up on the wall there, and Bob Paisley say about what Liverpool are doing now?” he added.
“Surely they have 26 players that they could have played half the guys, there was no reason to play a youth team. The Scottish Cup is wonderful.”
While he was behind the bar, his grandson Daniel was at Somerset after Ayr went out of their way to get his wee pal Thomas along as a mascot.
A mi nute in and an announcement went out over the Tannoy for the owner of a black Ford C- Max to shift their motor. The lights had been left on.
Here’s hoping it wasn’t a home fan as the sight of Aaron Drinan rol ling a gorgeous Grant Gillespie through pass into the corner from 10 yards four minutes in was worthy of a flat car battery.
Storm Ciara was making its presence felt at Somerset, battering the corrugated iron
Was not a popular man with the home fans after calling for a succession of fouls in pretty tough conditions.
But Muirhead gave him no choice with the straight red, a challenge that never had to be made in the middle of the park. Another poor display overall. 5/10
STEVEN McLEAN:
stand before catching David Wotherspoon’s 18th-minute cross from the left.
Hendry got his head to it then sheepishly jogged off to celebrate while the stattos were busy creditingg Muirhead with the final touch. uch.
So began an eight- minute ute monstrosityy for Mu i r h e a d , going into the book for catchching Hendry inin the 23rd then en seeing red forr a lunge on Liam m Craig three ee minutes later. er.
Wa l k i n g dow n t he e tunnel, he’d d have heard d the groans s
Was having none of it when told Aaron Muirhead had been credited with his first and the striker rewarded his old man Colin’s decision to take in this cup tie.
Starting for the first time in four games, his second goal suggested he’d never been away. Top show. 8/10
CALLUM HENDRY:
from those sitting above him as Tommy Wright’s side turned a one-man advantage into a one-goal lead inside a minute. Drey Wright darted down the right before whipping a cross to the back ppost where Hendry was waitin waiting to head home. ho L uke McCowan’s Mc f ififth round was wa finished after aft just 28 minutes, defender Sam Roscoe replacing rep him as AAyr spent the rest of the half repelling Sa ints ’ advances. adva Jamie Jam Adams g rraa c ed the
Mark Kerr admits Aaron Muirhead was stupid as 10-men Ayr were muscled out of the Cup.
The defender copped a yellow for catching Callum Hendry then a straight red 26 minutes in when he scythed down Liam Craig.
Saints went straight up the park to score the eventual winner and United player-boss Kerr said: “The sending off has set the game up to be in St Johnstone’s favour because they could counter attack.
“I thought Aaron’s first one was all right – I didn’t think it was that bad.
“But the second one, it’s so close to the first yellow I think it’s stupid. He has got to just hold back a wee bit and I think Aaron knows that.
“I can’t say anything about the referee on that one.”
Saints boss Tommy Wright reckoned his side wasted a flurry of second-half chances as horrific conditions made playing that bit trickier.
Despite Muirhead being credited with Saints’ equaliser,
Hendry walked away claiming two.
Wright said: “He probably comes alive more in the box. I am pleased for him. Second one is a great header.”
grass at Somerset again for the half-time draw, although the 1549 home fans must have wished his reappearance from retirement was not so fleeting.
Ross Doohan’s netting would have struggled to stop a Hendry free-kick had he failed to paw it away in 47 minutes.
From a stretched arm to a stretched leg, the United keeper then thrust out a foot to stop Jordan Houston’s back pass trickling into the corner.
Wotherspoon rattled over from distance before Stevie May clipped the top of the post but the away fans camped behind Doohan’s goal didn’t seem to mind.
It simply gave them a chance to play keep away with the ball while belting out: “Don’t you know pump it up, Saints will win the Cup.”