Hearts v Ayr United: injury news, starting XI, odds, how to watch

Hearts last faced Ayr United in the League Cup in 2011. Picture: SNS

It comes less than a week after the gut-wrenching defeat to Celtic on penalties in the Scottish Cup final.

Robbie Neilson’s men showed their character, personality and quality as they responded to a disappointing first-half performance with a blistering display after the interval and were unlucky not to win the match in 90 minutes with Josh Ginnelly passing up a good chance at the end.

That character was on show again in stoppage time as the winger netted to make it 3-3 following Leigh Griffiths’ goal to take the game to penalties.

The team will be required to lift themselves as focus switches back to league duty and achieve the main goal of promotion back to the top-flight.

Ayr United pose a tricky test. Mark Kerr’s men sit fifth but only three points from third. They have one of the most impressive goalkeepers in the league in Finn Viljami Sinisalo, while Michael Moffat is a canny operator at this level and recently reached the 100-goal mark for the club.

Team news: There is good news on the injury front with Elliott Frear set to be involved, while Liam Boyce and Josh Ginnelly have responded well in trainng this week. Ginnelly returned to the team in recent weeks, while Boyce felt his hamstring in the Scottish Cup final against Celtic. Robbie Neilson has confirmed he will utilise his squad in the coming days with three games before New Year.

Possible XI: Gordon; Smith, Halkett, Berra, Kingsley; Haring, Halliday, Lee; Naismith, Wighton, Walker.

What Neilson said: “I think we’re always the target anyway. If I was one of the other teams, when Hearts turn up then you up your game. We’ve set the benchmark a few times this season and done really well. For us it’s just a case of winning the game on Saturday. It will be a totally different game. It’s finding a way to win.”

Match details: Saturday, December 26. Kick-off 3pm, Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh.

How to watch: There are three ways for Hearts fans to watch their team in action. Season ticket holders who haven’t opted for the club’s alternative value season ticket package can watch the game via Hearts FC Pass. Fans of both teams can watch via PPV. International-based supporters can watch via Hearts TV if they are subscribers

Last meeting: Ayr United produced a League Cup shock back in September 2011. A strong Hearts team took the lead at Somerset Park through Scott Robinson before Gareth Wardlaw equalised just after the hour mark. There was penalty shootout pain, however, with Paul Sergio’s men going down 4-1.

Key stat: The previous league meeting beside the sides came back in February 1983. Hearts won 5-1 in front of just 4,294 fans at Tynecastle.

Referee: David Munro – The official was in charge of Hearts’ opening day win over Dundee at Tynecastle. He handed out five yellow cards and awarded the home side a penalty in the 6-2 win.

Odds: Hearts 4/9 Draw 15/4 Ayr 11/2