Ayr United boss puts his entire squad on stand-by

Feb 26 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

BRIAN REID has put his squad on standby for a hectic league run-in and told them: “You’ll all be needed.”

And with nine of Ayr’s last 16 games at home, he is backing their Somerset Park form to see them to safety.

Boosted by a stirring 1-0 win atDunfermline, United head to Inverness on Saturday before hosting basement teamAirdrie United in a crunch on Tuesday evening.

Boss Reid is refusing to say whether Stephen Grindlay will retain the gloves or if he will recall Craig Samson who is now free from a one game ban.

Kevin James is still sidelined but Billy Gibson is back in full training and inching closer to a return. Chris Mitchell’s ankle knock, which caused him to be substituted at Dunfermline, will be assessed on Wednesday evening.

Reid said: “Only time will tell who plays between the sticks at Inverness. Grindlay did well at Dunfermline and I’m always happy to see my keeper have a clean sheet.

“It’s a nice problem to have two experienced keepers but you’ll have to wait and see who plays.”

Reid says he can’t wait to return to action at Somerset but before that has the long trip to the Highlands to ponder.

He revealed: “The last thing we want is to travel up there and find the game postponed on Saturday morning as happened to Queen of the South last weekend.

“I spoke to Terry Butcher on Monday and he assures me the game will be on so, as things stand at the moment, we will travel on the Friday.

“After that, we can look forward to a long run of home games. Our form at Somerset has been good in the last few seasons and if we can repeat that we will be fine.

“It’s going to stretch the squad and we will have to hope for luck that we have no injuries or suspensions.

“I’ve told the players that we now have a decent squad after bringing some in so it will be a case of rotating and resting tired legs for some games.”

Reid wants his men to take their lead from vintage veteran Steve Bowey whose non stop energy was a feature of the win at East End Park.

Reid said: “Steve may be 35 but you should never pre judge someone by their age. He’s fitter than anyone and I hope his enthusiasm rubs off on our younger players.

“Bowser tells me it’s his ex-Army background that has brought him up in the right discipline. Maybe we should bring back National Service!”

The manager was also impressed with on-loan Hearts winger Rocky Visconte who laid on the match winner for Tam McManus with a sublime piece of skill.

Reid said: “Rocky started slowly but once he set up the goal it lifted his confidence and he kicked on. He gives us a decent balance to the team and he is always capable of getting by players.

“At one time the squad was down to about 15 and it was a big strain but I am much happier now.”

Drongan lad Shaun Woods, formerly of United under 19s, was on the bench as goalie cover at Dunfermline.

The Ally MacLeod Tartan Army are running bus to Scotland v Czech Republic on Wednesday, March 3, leaving the Vulcan at 6.15pm. Some match tickets are also available. Contact John Grigor (tel: 07903 561025).