Let’s win the league says Ayr United hero Mark Roberts

Jan 21 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

HERO Mark Roberts fired Ayr into the last 16 of the Scottish Cup and boomed: Now let's win the league.

Roberts lit up a packed Somerset Park on Tuesday night to dump Hibs 1-0 and book a last 16 tie at home to St Mirren.

But the veteran striker claimed he was too tired to celebrate his stunning strike which was beamed around the world live on Sky.

Roberts, 35, smiled: "That was me rolling back the years. When I got the ball it wouldn't open up for me so I had to keep turning.

"After about the 13th time I was able to get in a shot. It's up there with my best goals.

"Now we'll be underdogs again against St Mirren but we've got the players to win.

"If we can beat Hibs at home then we have nothing to fear from anyone.

"It's our fifth clean sheet in a row and I think we'll go on to win the league."

Elated Eddie Malone reckons hard graft sessions on Ayr beach were the key to the hard fought victory.

He said: "They were a barrel of laughs during the big freeze. But now we have got our reward.

"It's important we aren't flat on Saturday because we want to stay top of the league and keep it going."

Keeper David Crawford, who defied Hibs with some top drawer saves, heaped praise on his fellow defenders.

He said: “Our two centre halves won headers all night and made it easy for me. Winning is a magnificent feeling.”

Jubilant boss Brian Reid reckons SPL strugglers Saints won't relish their trip to Somerset on February 5.

He said: "We've a great home record over the years and St Mirren will be aware of that.

"I don't think the directors can believe their luck. Saints are just up the road and they'll come down here with big numbers.

"The players did everything to the letter just like they did at Easter Road in the first game. It was a superb finish by Mark but he is always capable of that.

"The crowd were fantastic and I just hope they roll along to support us in the league.

"It's a great night for us. Our back four handled the high balls that were thrown in while my keeper had a couple of terrific saves."

Reid reckons Ayr's latest scalp supports the view that the SPL should be extended.

He said: "These old fashioned nights are what it is all about. I am sure teams get fed up playing each other.

"We would like to be part of a bigger top flight and we've proved how good we can be.

"We had only 14 first team players and a couple of young boys on the bench but everyone stood up and was exemplary."