It's KILLIE in the Cup!!!

Last time we played down at Kilmarnock, we beat them 1-0 thanks to a Marvin Wilson header in extra time in a memorable League cup quarter final, back in late 1998. Much has changed about New Broomfield since then of course.

These days of course, Ian McCall has moulded a squad of his own cup battlers much in the mould created by Alex MacDonald back then. Only Tony Smith remains in our team from that game three years ago.

If spice needs be added to this tie, it may come in the form of both teams having a sprinkling of former players on both sides. Kilmarnock have the mercurial Antonio Calderon and Jesus Garcia Sanjuan pulling the strings for them these days. Despite only plying their trade for under six months, no Airdrie fan will ever forget the contribution of these two impecable gentlemen. They even turned up to cheer on the Diamonds at the recent Challenge Cup final. Lets hope the two Spaniards don't take things to badly and cheer us on in this years Cup Final?

From the Killie point of view, we have FOUR of their ex. players. Still a big favourite down there is Mark Roberts. Marko is a born and bred Kilmarnock boy, and still has a lot of respect amongst the Kilmarnock fans. John Henry played for a few years under Alex Totten's regime, but surprisingly, Neil MacFarlane never got a chance to shine whilst at Kilmarnock. Incredibly, big Neilly has possibly been our best player this season with his incredibly powerful midfield displays, and a few turnouts at centre half too, just to show his versatility. I wonder if the Killie fans know what they lost?

Sandy Stewart though is probably one loss that Killie fans never knew much about. Killie signed Sandy on a free from Hearts in 1987, and two fruitless years later, we picked him up on a free from Killie in 1989. He was of course a pretty ordinary right winger back then, and seemed to be going no where fast when Jimmy Bone decided to use him as a marker on the then dangerous Falkirk left winger Derek McWilliams, who'd torn us apart a few times back then. Needless to say, wee Sandy had him in his back pocket for the entire game, and became our best defender for over a decade.

Don't forget to book seats on the AISA buses if you wish to travel to the game by emailing us on the link provided.