Ayr United want to keep Kevin James

Mar 27 2009 by Mike Wilson

AYR UNITED want giant defender Kevin James to see them over the finishing line to the Second Division title.

But that depends on crunch talks next week when the on-loan player’s 28 day deal from St Johnstone is due to expire.

Boss Brian Reid is desperate to extend the towering stopper’s stay at Somerset Park after he made an instant impression.

Ayr haven’t conceded a goal in the four games which the 33-year-old has played.

With Saints sitting top of the First Division, the hope is that boss Derek McInnes, a close friend of Reid, will allow him to stay until the end of the season.

Reid said: “Kevin has been a big player for us and is enjoying the fact that he is playing every week. I am hopeful that St Johnstone will allow us to keep him but it’s in the lap of the gods and there is still a lot of water to go under the bridge.

“If they hit injuries or suspensions that could count against us but hopefully that won’t be the case.”

With only seven games to go, Ayr head to basement team Stranraer on Saturday looking to extend their unbeaten run to eight and top up their goal difference after Raith wiped out the advantage on Tuesday evening.

Ayr routed the troubled Blues 5-0 at Somerset three weeks ago and since then the Stair Parkers have shipped out skipper and goalie Scott Black to Auchinleck Talbot to trim their wage bill.

Reid vows there will be no complacency on Ayr’s part and urged the travelling fans to get behind the team right from the kick-off.

He said: “Three points against Stranraer is the same as three points against Raith. It’s now a nervy time for us and I know how the fans are feeling. I ask them to get behind us right from the start and get the atmosphere pumped up.

“The fans at away games have been tremendous and it’s much appreciated but they are a bit quieter at home.

“The good thing is that the title is now in our hands and we don’t have to rely on other teams for favours. If we do our own favours and win all our remaining games, then we will win the league.”

Allan Dempsie misses the trip down the coast as he completes a two game ban while Martyn Campbell, who has missed the last two matches, is expected to be fit.

Skipper Chris Aitken, who was booked in last Wednesday’s 1-0 win at East Fife, has copped a one match ban and will miss the visit of Stirling a week on Saturday.

Ship Inn bus for Stranraer leaves at 11.30am. Seats from 885766. River Cottage bus leaves at 12.30pm. Seats from 287923 or 079832 80077.

The Ally MacLeod Tartan Army are running a bus from the Steamboat Tavern to the Scotland v Iceland game on Wednesday April 1 leaving at 6.15pm. Seats from John Grigor (tel: 07903 561025).