Sky jackpot gives Ayr United a cash boost

Jan 14 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

CASH strapped Ayr United are rubbing their hands at their third Sky windfall in five seasons.

Tuesday night’s Scottish Cup replay against Hibs will be televised live and net Ayr an £82,500 TV fee.

And bring a welcome relief to the straining Somerset Park coffers.

If Ayr can knock out the SPL strugglers, they will face a fifth round tie at home to St Mirren or Peterhead.

Boss Brian Reid said: “I think the directors are doing a jig around Somerset after the Sky announcement.

“It’s great news for the club and I’m hoping there will be some money left for me to bring in some players.

“Stuart Bannigan’s loan is up on February 12 and after that I am down to only 14 players, two of whom are keepers.

“The Board know I need to strengthen as the games will be coming thick and fast.”

Reid was poised to land an experienced centre-half on Wednesday to bolster numbers. And he hopes that star defender Eddie Malone, who was a standout in the goalless draw at Easter Road, will sign an extension until the end of the season.

Reid said: “As a manager, I was disappointed we didn’t win the tie after creating so many good chances.

“The Board were probably hoping for a draw, especially now that Sky are taking it.

“But if it helps me strengthen the squad for the run-in, it’s not a bad result.”

Reid scoffs at suggestions that Ayr will be favourites with home advantage.

He said: “I don’t believe all that hype. We are still big underdogs but have good home form and we hope to make that count.”

A loan move for Motherwell defender Shaun Hutchinson looks to have fallen through. The deal had been agreed with former Fir Park boss Craig Brown before his move to Aberdeen.

But new ‘Well manager Stuart McCall now has the powerful Hutchinson in his plans.

Rugby Park defender Gavin Brown is still training at Ayr but as yet no offer has been made.

lAyr’s other live Sky cup ties saw them lose 2-0 at home to Inverness in 2006 and3-1 to Kilmarnock in a Rugby Park replay three years later.