Voice of Reason: 7 January 2009

Jan 9 2009

ON Saturday, new legends in white will be born.

William Wallace at Bannockburn…Julius Caesar at the Battle of Dyrrhachium…great leaders the pair of them.

Now it’s time for heroes in our trenches to make themselves known.

The enemy is coming – and a new chapter in our glorious history is ready to be written. These are the days, ladies and gentlemen, that you will tell the grandchildren about in decades to come.

Occasions like this are a different type of gravy. This is what makes Arbroath, Stranraer and Methil worthwhile. And this is what makes being an Ayr fan oh so sweet.

As the Ayrshire Post’s sensational pre-match build up proves, the history books are firmly on our side.

Every player in our dressing room must have a copy placed under his peg for arrival on matchday.

Our boys can talk all they want about knowing what it means to the fans to beat Killie. But they don’t.

Because when those 11 players walk out the tunnel on Saturday, they’ll get the shock of their lives.

This match will be won in the heads.

A CLASH of such magnitude merits all hands on deck. So the VoR has become a self-employed scout to see just what we’re up against.

And it would appear the answer is – not a lot. Killie appear to have two players of moderate ball playing ability. The Moroccan dude and David Fernandez.

My SPL sources tell me those boys don’t like the rough stuff. So take note.

SPEAKING of which, if there’s one player born for this game it’s Dean Keenan.

The midfield terrier this club has not seen the likes of since Andy Millen and John Davies – two Ayrshire derby legends.

Quite simply if we want to win this game, Keenan MUST play in the middle of the park.

If tough decisions have to be made in order to get him there, then make them. This game is the real deal.

Keenan may well be the most vital man on the park on Saturday.

EVEN the cricket boys are joining the fun. The lads at Prestwick are holding a pre-cup tie party from 11.30am and the banter promises to be top notch.

Cocktails, pies (of the Killie variety and others) will be dished up, plus sweepstakes will make the event go with a swing.

Then comes the highlight – an Ayr v Killie quiz at 12.30pm with questions compiled by the club’s veteran junior convener Allan Haggo. He’s a Killie fan so they probably won’t be that taxing.

Quizmaster is Brian Russell – Ayr fan and ex-Queen’s Park ballboy.

But which is the bigger claim to fame?

IT’S a derby day special in betting corner. But first, let’s give a collective round of applause for Dougie Morton, who was spot on with his weekend shout of Southampton 0, Man Utd 3.

Sadly for the Doug, my game was postponed, so the week was declared null and void!!!

Them the breaks, Mr Morton, them the breaks. So with my lead standing at 16-12, we’re both tackling Ayrshire’s biggest sporting event of the millenium.

Dougie takes 2-1 Ayr and I take 1-0 the Honest Men. Frankly I don’t care which one of us is right. M’on Ayr!