Ayr United chasing Boxing Day win

Dec 25 2009 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

ALL Brian Reid wants for Christmas is a Boxing Day win to lift Ayr out of the bottom two.

And that’s the huge prize on offer when United head to Cappielow for a crunch clash against third bottom Morton – the big freeze permitting.

Ayr trail the Greenock side by three points with a game in hand, knowing a win will lift them out of the drop zone for the first time in months.

Boss Reid has vowed there will be no Christmas bargain sales from Somerset and says star man Ryan Stevenson will not be leaving on the cheap.

Queen of the South are tracking Stevo, who is out of contract at the end of the season and free to speak to other clubs in January. They could weigh in with a token bid but that will be slapped down.

Reid said: “Morton is a massive game for us with a huge psychological incentive. We know what’s at stake. By all accounts, we have a decent record at Cappielow so let’s hope that continues.

“I’ve had a chat with Stevo and he is 100 per cent happy here. He is a good pro with the right attitude.

“If clubs think they can get him on the cheap in January, they can forget it.

“Going to another First Division club would be a sideways step for him whereas he could go to England and earn a lot more.

“In an ideal world, I would love to keep him beyond the end of the season but I’m only sorry I can’t offer the same money as others.”

Lack of cash could also thwart Ayr’s bid to land former Hibs striker Tam McManus from Derry City.

McManus has been training at Ayr but FIFA have ruled that he can’t sign for another club until the transfer window opens in January.

Reid said: “I think that’s a crazy rule which sets us back. There is now interest in him from England while another First Division club are sniffing about and they can afford to pay more than us.

“We may have a small budget compared to others but we have a good bunch of boys who are fighting the battle.

“They are up for the scrap. We’ve had to change direction in the last few weeks and while I don’t want to go totally route one, it is a different style. We have to be big and strong.”

Willie Easton misses Cappielow through a one match ban while Billy Gibson is 50:50 with a groin problem.

Saturday’s frozen off game against Partick will now be held back until February after initial plans to re-schedule it for Wednesday were hit on the head.

Reid said: “Although the snow had cleared off the park by 2pm, the pitch was still rock solid. We thought about trying again on Wednesday but it would have been unfair on the fans to come out when the roads are so bad and conditions are poor.

“Now it looks as if it won’t be played until February when hopefully we can get a decent crowd.”

Buses for Cappielow: River Cottage 1pm, seats £7 from 287923. Vulcan 1pm, seats £7 from 07903 561025. Ship Inn 12.30pm, seats £7 and £5 from 885766.

Buses for Palmerston, January 2: Vulcan 1pm, seats £7 from 07903 561025. Ship Inn 11.30am, seats £8 and £6 from 885766.