Rangers know danger of allowing Ayr to be at the races

IAN PAUL

6 Feb 1993

AS well as having the best racecourse in Scotland, a close affinity with Rabbie Burns, and a reputation as a pleasant holiday spot, Ayr has a football team which today could make the town even more renowned by beating the mighty Rangers, and earning a place in the folklore of the people's game.

It is a chance afforded few teams in recent seasons, as Rangers invariably have been drawn against premier-division opposition in the Tennents Scottish Cup.

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Their manager, George Burley, acknowledges that the prospect of having a go at the champions has had the Somerset Park club in a fair old tizz all week.

"You don't often get the chance to compete against the best team in Scotland, and one of the best in Europe," he said.

The former Motherwell full back also recognises the financial boost such a meeting gives Ayr, as well as the excitement of playing before a capacity crowd.

Burley will use the logical tactic of trying to attack Rangers, rather than attempt to hold the fort.

"We can't afford to let them take possession.

It is up to us to put them under pressure if we can."

With Gary Agnew out and a doubt about Malcolm Shotton who was unlucky enough to hurt his back in training yesterday, Burley holds fire on his selection but Rangers know all about the personnel in any case.

Despite the fact that they already have won the Skol Cup and seem certainties for the championship, Rangers will not take the seaside troops lightly.

They would not like to see the truth of the Bard's phrase about best plans going agley applying to them in their year of majesty.

Rangers are unlikely to bring back Richard Gough, although he is in the squad.

Manager Walter Smith will discuss the situation with him this morning.

"He has been out for four weeks and that, along with his earlier spell out, may make it more sensible to let him have a few reserve games first."

Into the squad come Oleg Kuznetsov, who has been impressive in the reserves in midfield, and Ian Durrant.

While defeat would be startling for Rangers, it would be close to disastrous for Celtic, who know that this tournament represents their last chance of taking home a trophy.

They also know that Falkirk, whom they meet at Brockville, are bound to be tough opponents.

Manager Liam Brady names the same squad as beat St Johnstone 5-1 in the league on Wednesday, but shrugs aside any suggestion that the team is ready to do a repeat.

"We know Falkirk at Brockville will be a different kettle of fish and it will be a very difficult game for us.

Falkirk are capable up front although they may have problems at the back."

That description could have been used on a few occasions about Celtic, too, earlier this season but, with Tony Mowbray still not fit, Brady relies on the defence which did well in midweek.

The front pairing of Frank McAvennie and Tommy Coyne packs in plenty of experience and both have much to play for.

McAvennie has made a good start to his probationary period -- it lasts until the end of the month -- and Brady said that, whatever happens, the move to give him a chance has been proved justified.

Coyne will either convince the manager that he deserves a better deal or another club to pay the money for him.

Falkirk's tricky forwards, Richard Cadette and Kevin McAllister, will test the Parkhead resolve and, if past track records are a guide, there ought to be goals and thrills for the watchers to savour.

Hearts and Dundee, who fought out one of the most uninteresting contests of this or any other season in a league match on Wednesday at Dens Park, meet again at Tynecastle when the urgency of the cup surely will inspire something.

Hearts are unlikely to bring back Craig Levein, who was suspended in midweek for one game -- he starts a second suspension next week -- but they may consider a change up front, with Ian Ferguson a possible starter.

Whoever plays, manager Joe Jordan expects a great deal more than when Dundee won 1-0.

Hibernian go to Fife to take on the team whose league record is the worst in Britain, but Cowdenbeath have been given every respect by manager Alex Miller who has had them watched four times, and rates them better than their form indicates.

Tommy McIntyre is his only doubt.

The most intriguing tie of the weekend takes place tomorrow when Aberdeen, still unhappy at their defeat by Rangers in midweek, face the side with a knack of doing well at Pittodrie, Dundee United.

One Aberdeen player eager to succeed is Finnish internationalist Mixu Paatelainen, who left United for Pittodrie in a £400,000 move at the end of last season.

He has scored important goals against Aberdeen in cup ties in the past, but is determined to reverse the process this time.

"It would give me a lot of pleasure to score against them." he said.

"There is always an extra incentive to perform well against your old club." Willie Miller collected his Tartan Special manager-of-the-month award yesterday but gave the credit to his players: "It is down to their performances, which have been exceptional for the last three or four months."

Midfielder Lee Richardson has recovered from a leg injury and will retain his place.

Dundee United manager Jim McLean has been disappointed at both the way his team have been losing goals and their inability to score them, but United are never more dangerous than when they look poor bets.

The New Firm will not have the Sunday stage to themselves.

East Stirling and Clydebank will contest a tie which, to them, offers the prospect of a financial bonanza to the winners.

Taken from the Herald