Kilmarnock loanee aiming for Scottish Cup giantkilling against rivals Ayr United
While Kilmarnock are eyeing a Scottish Cup upset at Celtic on Saturday - for one Killie kid it’s rivals Ayr United that are in the firing line.
Defender Ruari Ellis is set to line up against the Honest Men for Lowland League outfit Broxburn Athletic in the fourth round clash.
The West Lothian outfit’s Albyn Park home might be a far cry from Celtic Park but the 18-year-old is hoping Killie fans have two reasons to smile come Saturday night.
The youngster has impressed during a loan spell with the fifth-tier side and he’s taken to life in Lowland League with ease. Much like the Brox, who sit sixth in their maiden campaign at that level.
Impressively, given they’ve only been competing in the competition for six seasons, this will be Broxburn’s second trip to the last-32 - but the youngster is determined to go one step further.
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That, of course, will be no easy challenge given Scott Brown’s United side are in the Championship title mix - but Ellis is determined to have no regrets and leave everything on the park.
Speaking to the Standard, he said: “All the lads are buzzing for the game. It’s obviously one that we’ve been looking forward to since the draw was made.
“It was funny because the last four balls were Broxburn, Celtic, Ayr and Killie. I was just desperate not to get Killie because I’d not have been able to play but there was really no bad draw from that for the club. It’s a huge day for Broxburn and we want to make sure we give a good account of ourselves.
“The captain Nick Locke played in their game away at St Mirren a few years ago in the fourth round and he’s spoken about that and the impact it had on the club.
“It sounds like it was a great occasion and we want to create as many of them as possible. Our focus is this one game coming up and doing everything we can to cause an upset.
“Hopefully I can put a few smiles on Killie fans’ faces before their game at Celtic. That would be brilliant.”
He added: “Ayr are obviously a brilliant team and they’re challenging for the title in the Championship.
“I saw George Oakley scored a hat-trick in the first half the other week so there’s no doubting their quality as a team and the quality that they have up front.”
Ellis has started most games since arriving in West Lothian at the start of November and is keen to make the most of the experience.
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And while he admits it’s been a steep learning curve - especially on the physical side - he says that can only stand him in good stead going forward.
He said: “It’s been great for my development and I’ve loved being here. It’s a great club and I want to make my time at Broxburn as successful as possible.
“I’d been playing under-18s and reserve football for Killie but this is proper men’s football. It’s different. You learn so much more in terms of having to deal with the physicality and having to use your body. It’s a great learning experience for me.
“Even in training having to come up against experienced boys who have had loads of success at this level and know how to get the better of defenders, it’s all been a huge positive for my career.
“My aim is to just keep improving as a player. I want to play as many games and get as many minutes for Broxburn as possible.”
The former Scotland youth international is hoping that includes a Scottish Cup fifth round clash next month - just as long as Celtic Park isn’t an option because that means both Broxburn and Killie will have caused major Scottish Cup upsets.
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