Ayr boss Kerr will use County template as he attempts to take another top-flight scalp
Ayr United player/manager Mark Kerr will use his side’s win over Premiership side Ross County in the last round of the Scottish Cup as the template for the visit of top-flight side St Johnstone this afternoon.
The Honest Men knocked out County last month with a 1-0 Somerset Park success and Kerr said: “That was a great day for us as we kept a clean sheet and Steven Bell scored with a header from a set-piece. What is also important is that winning that game has given us the belief that we can beat St Johnstone.
“We know that it will not be easy as they have been on a decent run of form and had a terrific win up at Aberdeen on Tuesday night. We had that game watched and I saw them at Livingston recently so we are well prepared.
“They changed things about at Pittodrie by playing a 3-5-2 system but I reckon that they will return to four at the back for this one. We are ready for both.
“Somerset Park is a great venue for cup-ties so everything is
Mark Kerr is looking for another big-name success. in place for us to look to repeat our success over Ross County.”
The only downside for Ayr is that their skipper Ross Docherty has joined an injury list that already includes Andy Geggan, Andy Murdoch and Craig Moore.
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright will always have a special place in his heart for the Scottish Cup but he reckons the affection for the tournament is universal.
Wright led Saints to their first major triumph in 2014 when they beat Dundee United in the final. “It means a lot, particularlytome,tohavewonthetrophy in my first year as manager, the first manager to win it and first team at St Johnstone to win it,” Wright said. “That meansalotbutthat’sinthepast and we have to deal with what’s in front of us. It’s a really difficult tie. “I still love cup games. I think the Scottish Cup, unlike the English FA Cup, hasn’t lost any of its magic.”