GOAL hero Alan Trouten is hoping Ayr United can help inspire another giant killing when they host the mighty Rangers at Somerset Park tonight (Wednesday).

The midfield ace was in the side who reached the 2011-12 Scottish League Cup semi-finals only to lose out narrowly to bitter rivals Kilmarnock.

Now he is now looking to spring another upset the Honest Men host the Championship title favourites in the second round of the Petrofac Training Cup.

Trouten, on target in Saturday’s important 2-1 home win against his former side Brechin City, is relishing the midweek showdown and said: “It’s the kind of game everyone wants to be involved in and doesn’t come around too often. It’s a real bonus for the club to have the tie. It’s something to look forward to away from the league. When I was here before we managed to beat Hearts and St Mirren in cup ties and reached the league cup semi-final so you never know. We will prepare well for the match at training on Tuesday. It’s a bonus game and we will see what we can do. We have nothing to lose.” Meanwhile Trouten, back in his second spell at Somerset Park is encouraged with the start made to the season so far but is looking to keep it going.

The penalty specialist was delighted with his winner and said: “My old team-mate Graeme Smith knows me well and was trying to say he didn’t think it was a penalty, but it was a stonewaller. I have a good conversion rate from the spot and hopefully that can continue, it’s important to contribute to the team. Brechin are a good side and caused us a few problems, especially Andy Jackson and Robert Thomson. It was a satisfying win after a poor result against Albion Rovers the week before. It was good to be back on track and that’s us won three games out of four. The home record is very important to us and it was great to have Gerry McLauchlan and Nicky Devlin back from suspension. Both are such experienced players and Nicky is great going forward and helps feed passes down the right. They were missed the previous week.” Trouten is looking forward to pitting his wits against former Somerset Park gaffer Brian Reid when United head to Stair Park to face Stranraer on Saturday, He added: “It’s a big game for us, I worked with Brian at Ayr for two years but against his old club he will be looking to do well, especially after they had a poor result on Saturday. It’s a big game for us and the league is the top priority.

Meanwhile manager Ian McCall was heartened with the display but knows work has still to be done and said: “It was a good reaction from the players after last week. We still don’t look solid enough at times, possibly there are too many footballers in the team. The games we have in the cup are a bonus. Saturday’s game at Stranraer is crucial for us and if we can win that will be four wins out of five which is the target. We are still short of numbers, we will still need three players. We have made an offer for one and hopefully can get him. It was good team performance although we have not totally clicked.” He expects a tough test in the cup and said: “Rangers looked good and could have scored seven or eight goals on Sunday, so we will have to be on our guard but will do our very best to get a result.” Meanwhile, tickets for the Rangers game are selling well but some are still on sale for the Somerset Road end and the Family Stand and will be available right up until 6.15pm on Wednesday.