Superstitious Ayr United boss Brian Reid says cup win will suit him

Nov 18 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

BRIAN REID has vowed not to ditch his lucky suit and jumper as Ayr sweep all before them.

And the superstitious gaffer reveals his lucky play-off suit is on standby in case he needs it.

Reid wants to carry on United’s resurgent form into Saturday’s Scottish Cup clash at home to Montrose.

But he has warned his men to underestimate the Third Division minnows at their peril.

Ayr made it three away wins on the trot with the smart looking boss turned out in his best garb.

He quipped: “I have always been a bit superstitious after winning games.

“If I’ve got a lucky suit or jumper I usually stick with it.

“I’ve even got a lucky pinstripe suit which I’ve worn in the play-offs and it hasn’t let me down.”

Saturday’s 1-0 win at Raith lifted Ayr out of the bottom two and opened a three point gap at the foot.

Reid said: “We have gone to three difficult places in St Mirren, Hamilton and Raith, winning them all.

“Now we have to replicate that form at home. If we do that, we’ll be fine.”

Super spy John Somerville watchedMontrose battle back from 4-0 down to draw 4-4 at Stranraer.

And while Ayr are hot favourites to march on, Reid is warning against complacency.

He said: “In recent seasons, we have done well in the cups and we want that tocontinue.

“But I still maintain that staying up in the First Division with the odds against us will be an even bigger achievement than reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup.”

John Robertson, Andy Geggan and Ross Robertson didn’t train on Monday but Reid hopes they’ll be OK for Saturday.

On trial Tam McManus scored as the reserves beat Queen’s Park 3-2 at Lesser Hampden on Monday. Also on target were Ryan Connolly and Roddy Paterson.

Reid, who took in an SPL bounce game on Tuesday, said: “Tam did OK and is still an option but a striker is not really a priority at the moment.

“I am still looking to strengthen the squad and have irons in the fire. I would rather have experience than youth but it is a question of who is available.

“We are doing well at present so it’s not quite as urgent but I am concerned that if we get injuries we don’t have the depth of cover.”

Bookies think Ayr are on a good thing against Montrose. United are 4/11, Montrose are 5/1 while the draw is 7/2 with McBookie.com

You have to go back six years to when both sides were in the same division. They met four times in the Second Division in 1995 and Ayr won all four games.

Montrose haven't beaten Ayr since 1985 and it’s 1963 since Montrose's last success at Somerset Park when the Links Park side won 5-2.

In the correct score market, some of the higher ones for Ayr against a team who have been leaking goals are 3-0 at 15/2, 4-0 at 16/1 and 5-0 at 33/1.

Ayr are a tempting 10/11 to be winning at half time and full time which will surely prove popular.