DOUGIE IMRIE has revealed a pep talk from Rafa Benitez helped Morton derail Ayr’s Championship title bid.
The Cappielow boss had a one to one with the former Liverpool gaffer at a Uefa coaching course in Geneva this week.
Ex-Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez has been linked with a move to Rangers[/caption]
He met Dougie Imrie at a Uefa coaching course in Geneva[/caption]
And the Spaniard’s wise words helped Morton derail Ayr’s title bid in Greenock[/caption]
Imrie soaked up the advice from Benitez and joked he’s offered to be his Rangers No2 after he was linked with the job.
He then returned from Switzerland to see Jordan Davies’ late winner stun Ayr and move Morton up to fifth.
Imrie said: “It was good to get away from the noise for a while and spend three days over there.
“To speak to a guy like Rafa, who has managed at so many top clubs, and have a personal chat with him was refreshing.
“I was able to ask questions that relate to me being here and it was good to hear that everything isn’t always rosy, no matter how big the club is.”
Asked if Benitez mentioned the Ibrox gig, Imrie smiled: “He said he had heard the speculation but that is as far as he went.
“Who knows…although I did put my CV in to be his assistant manager!
“It was a good trip and I’m pleased to come back with a win.
“At 1-0 down, I thought it would be the same old story but I told the boys they had a chance to change the narrative.
“Everyone was talking about us going on good runs and then losing runs.
“But we grew into the game, we made it 1-1 and the crowd gave us great energy to get the win.”
Curtis Main came off the bench to score Ayr’s winner against Queen’s Park in midweek.
And the big striker was at it again to put Scott Brown’s side ahead after eight minutes.
Marco Rus claimed the assist with a nice pass and Main steadied himself before finding the bottom corner from 14 yards.
It was a terrific finish from the big Englishman, who was always a handful up front.
George Oakley also offered a real physical presence for Ayr and he headed over from a Jay Henderson free-kick.
Brown’s men were starting to hit their stride and were playing good football on a difficult pitch.
Henderson was lively and his driven cross was begging to be converted – but no Ayr player could get a touch.
Morton started to settle and almost made it 1-1 midway through the first half.
Cameron Blues’ header looked destined for the bottom corner but Josh Clarke made a brilliant save.
Imrie’s men continued to cause Ayr problems and Ali Crawford had a curling free-kick blocked.
Arron Lyall then showed great skill to find space at the edge of the box and his powerful shot was inches wide.
Brown demanded more from his Ayr side and they upped it again before the break.
Lenny Agbaire was picked out inside the box – but his low effort was cleared off the line by Morgan Boyes.
In Ayr’s next attack, Connor McLennan had a powerful header saved by Ryan Mullen.
Morton 1990s greats Janne Lindberg and Marko Rajamaki were given a rousing reception during a half-time appearance.
Man-bys
Morton: Mullen 7, Ballantyne 7, Corr 5, Baird 7, Boyes 7, Delaney 7, Crawford 7 (Keay 80,2), Blues 8 (Davies 68,7), Lyall 7, Shaw 6 (Gillespie 68,6), Moffat 6 (Garrity 72,5)
Booked: Baird, Lyall
Sent off: Corr
Ayr United: Clarke 7, McAllister 6 (Walker 80,2), Stanger 6, Agbaire 6, McMann 6, Dempsey 6, McLennan 6, Rus 6 (McKenzie 60, 5), Henderson 6 (Hastie 69,4), Oakley 6, Main 6
Booked: McAllister, Oakley
Ref: John Beaton 7
Imrie must wish he could call on the Finns in their Cappielow pomp.
But their presence must have inspired the current Morton team as they came out flying for the second half.
Crawford’s brilliant free-kick was pushed over by Clarke as they almost equalised instantly.
Blues made a clever run to meet Cammy Ballantyne’s low cross and flicked the ball in from close range.
Henderson fired miles from long range as Ayr looked to regain control of the match.
Oakley was then presented with a golden chance to make it 2-1 after being found unmarked inside the box.
It looked like a simple header by his standards but he sent it wide as Morton escaped.
And they made the most of that as sub Davies made it 2-1 with a close-range finish.
Crawford’s low corner picked him out and he made no mistake to leave Ayr stunned.
Morton’s Dylan Corr was sent off in 84 minutes for a lunge on Jake Hastie – but they held on.
Brown said: “We had no problems in the first half and played well.
“But we came out after the break thinking, ‘This is going to be easy’ and I’m not sure where the lads are going with that.
“The players have been fantastic but we can’t lose goals like that.
“I thought Falkirk would win but now we have to bounce back.”
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