Gus MacPherson has warned his Queen’s Park players they need to take care of Ayr United in their Scottish Cup fourth round replay before they can let their thoughts wander to an extended cup run.
The goalless draw between the pair at Somerset Park on Saturday meant that both teams went into Sunday’s draw, with Stirling Albion or Clyde awaiting the victors of tonight’s rematch at Hampden.
While MacPherson concedes that the prospect of taking on either side in the next round is a tantalising one, he knows that they have to earn the right to get there.
“It’s a good draw for Stirling and Clyde as well!” MacPherson said. “I think all four clubs will say that whatever the outcome, it would be a winnable game for all of us.
“Players will look at that and they will think that as well, but you’ve got to take care of whoever you have first before that comes around.
“I’m sure Ian McCall will say the same to his players, you just have to go out and play the game, pass the ball and compete, and we all know the reward that lies ahead if you do manage to win.”
With the Spiders in impressive form of late in League One and Ayr United struggling somewhat in the Championship, it may be thought that the psychological edge lies with MacPherson’s outfit ahead of tonight’s game.
But MacPherson said: “It doesn’t really matter what has happened before in terms of the league. “They will be looking at it from the point of view that it is a cup competition and they will want to get through, and we’re no different.
“We’ve been on a good run and there is a belief within the group that they are doing a lot of things right.
“They are all doing their jobs, they are competing well, they are working hard for each other, and that gives you a better opportunity to win any game if you have those values and principles within your group.”
Ayr United full-back Paddy Boyle is meanwhile hoping that the prospect of playing at the national stadium can bring the best out of his side after a below-par performance on Saturday.
He said: “We were actually pretty happy that we got the replay because we were miles below where we can be on Saturday.
“We spoke all week about not underestimating Queen’s Park, because we know they are a decent team on a good run.
“But too many players on the day didn’t play well enough and we’re pretty glad to get a second bite at the cherry.
“I’ve never played at Hampden myself, so I’m looking forward to it and the rest of the boys are looking forward to it as well.
“It will be empty but it’s a good opportunity to play at the national stadium and we can’t be as bad as we were on Saturday.”
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