STRIKER Glynn Hurst was a terracing idol with Ayr United in three seasons at Somerset Park.

He made 79 league appearances, scoring 49 league goals and clocked up 10 Scottish Cup appearances with no goals, as well as playing six League Cup ties and scoring two goals.

This week "Hursty" looked back fondly on the 3-0 victory against Kilmarnock in the Tennents Scottish Cup in season 1998-99, his United career and ahead to Friday night's Betfred Cup tie at home the Rugby Park side.

He said: The 3-0 victory will be ingrained in my memory forever I would say. On the day we were the better team. I set up the first goal for Andy Lyons and Andy Walker scored two great penalties. Killie were going well in the Premier Division and we are going well in our league. I felt that we were the better team. They had some internationals, played really well and played really well, deserved it. We were delighted to have bragging rights."

Added Hurst (now 42): "My first and third year were good but the second wasn't. If you took Hibs out of the equation I think we could well have won the league. The first season team of Andy Walker, Andy Millen, John Hughes, Andy Lyons and Gary Teale were the best. In my last season were very close. Andy Walker, Andy Millen, John Hughes, Andy Lyons, Gary Teale, the first season team were the best. I have brilliant memories. Ayr got me through scouting and bought me for £30,000.

The fans were fabulous, they were terrific, hopefully. I have good memories of Ayr and the people of Ayr and the Scots in general treated me really well.

"I was showing my son, Joshua the Ayr United goals the other day. We took him up to Ayr a couple of years ago and we showed him around the ground."

He believes Ayr will be ready for the game.

Added Glynn, now a teacher of Religious Education and Philosophy in Liverpool: "It's a good game to start with as it will get the fans, players and management excited. They will have been working hard in training, knowing that game starts the season off.

"The Ayr players will we feel it as a game that they must win. It's a really big occasion and one players don't need any motivation for. They will want to show what they can do and express themselves.

"The bigger the game the better. I will tune in and make sure I watch the game. I know Ayr have made some signings. Lee McCulloch, the Killie boss will have his ideas - the players might embrace him. He was big and strong as a player and his team I expect will be strong and resilient.

"The game is a great leveller - form doesn't count. It's all about who is up for it, hopefully Ayr get the victory and get off to a really positive start. The derbies are terrific matches to be involved in.

"It was disappointing Ayr were relegated, they were fighting battles, part-time. It will help going full-time - that makes sense. If they get promoted they are closer to the Premier Division."