Hay Haunted By Shock Exit Signs

Jan 6 2008

Airdrie V Kilmarnock Saturday, Kick-Off 3.00

GARRY HAY has suffered enough Scottish Cup heartache to last a lifetime - now he's praying the competition can rescue Killie's season from hell.

It's 11 years since Paul Wright's glory goal won the cup and the Rugby Park side have not even come close to repeating that famous success.

A combination of unkind draws and shock exits to the likes of Ayr, Alloa and Morton have seen Hay suffer since looking on in awe as a young pro in '97.

For Killie's first test this year it's a trip to face Airdrie United and the skipper knows from bitter experience Jim Jefferies' men have everything to lose.

Hay said: "The Scottish Cup isn't my favourite subject and we've had a few bad results in the early rounds.My first experience of a big shock was last season's defeat by Morton and it wasn't nice.

"We've also been unlucky - we've had Hearts away twice and Celtic as well. But we will do our best to rectify that this year and cheer the fans up a bit. We're having a poor season and the cup is a lifeline that could rescue it."

Killie showed their cup pedigree by reaching last season's CIS Final although it ended in a 5-1 thrashing by Hibs.

Now Hay is out to exorcise the demons of his last meeting with Airdrie United.

The 30-year-old said: "We played them in the CIS Cup back in 2002 and I missed a penalty as we lost in the shoot-out."

Meanwhile, Airdrie veteran Paul Lovering is aiming to kick Kilmarnock out with his second giant-killing act on the big guns. The 32-year-old was in the Ayr United side that sent Killie spinning out of the League Cup on penalties before marching to the final in 2001.

Lovering said: "Ayr knocked four or five Premier League teams out of the two cups that year on our way to the CIS final and the semis of the Scottish.

"However, Kilmarnock was one of the biggest highlights.

"It will be tough for us this time but we have a lot of kids who have never played top flight opposition and should relish this chance to test themselves."