Underdogs Ayr and Falkirk confident of more giant-killing

IN A tournament of surprises – seven SPL sides have already been knocked out by lower-league opposition – players at Falkirk and Ayr United are starting to believe that a First Division side can lift this season’s Scottish Communities League Cup come March.

Falkirk reached the last four on Tuesday night when they pipped Dundee United at Tannadice in a dramatic penalty shoot-out, while Ayr enjoyed a 1-0 quarter-final victory at St Mirren Park earlier that evening.

Stewart Murdoch netted Falkirk’s fifth and final penalty to seal progress for Steven Pressley’s side, who had already overcome Rangers in the previous round. With either Kilmarnock or Celtic also waiting in the semi-finals, the 20-year-old midfielder sees no reason why the Bairns can’t go all the way.

“Throughout the whole season our confidence has been really high,” said Murdoch. “Beating Rangers was unexpected, as was winning away from home against another SPL team – I don’t see why we can’t go to Hampden and win.”

Chris Smith was the hero for Ayr, scoring the only goal of the game with nine minutes remaining. The victory for Brian Reid’s men secured an astonishing hat-trick of wins against Clydesdale Bank Premier League opposition following triumphs over Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Hearts in earlier rounds.

Now Smith wants a crack at local rivals Kilmarnock, who sealed their progress on Tuesday night with a 2-0 success against another of this tournament’s giant-killers, East Fife.

Smith said: “The fans would rather have Killie and if we beat them I think there would be a bit of a riot.

“It would be great for the fans and everyone connected with the club to get the chance to put one over on your rivals. But, whoever we get, it’s a bonus.”

A Hampden clash between Kilmarnock and Ayr would represent the biggest match between the two rivals and Killie manager Kenny Shiels would also welcome the interest such a tie would present.

“I’m delighted for Brian Reid. He comes to bounce games and works ever so hard,” the Rugby Park manager said. “He has done remarkably well for Ayr United.

“If that was to be the draw it would certainly captivate the whole of Ayrshire. There is so much rivalry between the two teams and it would really stimulate something.

“The town of Kilmarnock needs something now. We are one point off the top six, in the semi-final of the League Cup, we have just rebuilt the team.”

While Second Division East Fife had sent SPL pair Dunfermline and Aberdeen crashing out in the previous two rounds, Shiels admitted that the draw has been good to Kilmarnock so far. The Northern Irishman, whose team had eased to a 5-0 home victory over Queen of the South in their only other tie in the tournament, added: “The draw has favoured us to be fair, no disrespect to teams like Queen of the South and East Fife. But I think, if you play a high-risk game, then fortune favours the brave.

“I think the club and the playing staff deserve that. We play a very open game and let crosses come in against us. I know it’s risky but it’s how I want my team to play. I want them to play with flair and imagination.

“We live dangerously at times but I’m delighted we have got some rewards and the chairman and the club are the beneficiaries of that.”

As Falkirk, Kilmarnock, Ayr United and Celtic look forward to next year’s semi-finals, a disappointed Peter Houston must now focus on the SPL in a bid to revive his Dundee United side’s fortunes.

United lost their quarter-final tie 5-4 on penalties as Falkirk held them to a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes. Willo Flood ballooned his spot-kick over the bar and the Bairns had a 100 per cent success rate from their five efforts to progress to the semi-final.

With only two victories in 12 games and a winless run of five – dating back to the League Cup success at Airdrie United – Houston will be seeking a swift response in Saturday’s SPL clash at Dunfermline.

The Tannadice manager said: “It’s disappointing. We should be through. Our season hasn’t gone as well as it should’ve gone so far. The players, the management and backroom staff will certainly stick together.

“Some guys will talk about the glass being half empty – I say it’s half full and we’re two points off St Mirren in sixth place.

“But we have to make our league form better. I look at the five years since I’ve been here and it’s been progress every year. I’m looking to try and continue that.

“Going to Hampden is a huge thing – that’s where we wanted to be. I should be talking about us being in a semi-final, so it’s disappointing.”