Ayr United v Rangers

Petrofact Training Cup 2nd Round – Wednesday 19th August 2015

Ayr United welcome Rangers to Somerset Park on Wednesday night in what is the 100th meeting between the two clubs but the first in the Challenge Cup. United bounced back from their disappointing league opener at Albion Rovers with a 2-1 win against Brechin City on Saturday, a fourth consecutive victory at Somerset Park under Ian McCall.

Mark Warburton’s new look Gers have started the season with four wins, scoring 17 goals along the way including 6 in their opening fixture of the season, a comprehensive 6-2 versus Hibs at Easter Road in the first round of the competition. Veteran striker Kenny Miller has five goals to his name this season and was joined on the scoresheet on Sunday by new signings Martyn Waghorn, James Tavernier and Jason Holt in a 5-1 win at Recreation Park.

Ian says:”Wednesday night is a big night for everyone at the club as Somerset Park is a great place to be when its close to full. We have had Rangers watched and there is no doubt how well they are playing at the moment however we have a few ideas to make sure they will have a difficult night. We have our own players that can cause them problems.”

Head-to-Head:

Ayr United wins – 13

Draws – 16

Rangers wins – 70

Rangers have won four of their last five visits to Somerset Park 2-0 and kept a clean sheet in all five games – Ayr last netted against the Gers at home in April 1978.

Last Meeting: In April 2014, Alan Forrest scored Ayr United’s first goal against Rangers since Darren Henderson in 1996 after seven consecutive games against the Light Blues without a goal but, like on that occasion United’s equaliser was not enough to avoid defeat at Ibrox. Bilel Mohsni broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second-half and then netted the winner in the 82nd minute after Forrest’s composed finish.

On this day: Ayr have a relatively poor record on August 19th, with a win rate of just 25%. The Honest Men have twice played Rangers on this date, losing 2-1 at Ibrox in 1971 and 4-0 at home in 1939.

Match Officials:

Referee – Stephen Finnie

Assistant Referee – Brian Templeton

Assistant Referee – David Roome