Bragging rights: Pascali insists losing is not an option for Killie Pic: © STV
Kilmarnock skipper Manuel Pascali is desperate to guide his side into the Scottish Communities League Cup final so he can save their supporters from years of gloating at the hands of Ayr United fans.
The Ayrshire rivals go head to head in the last four of the competition at Hampden in a bid to challenge Falkirk or Celtic for the trophy.
But Pascali believes the bragging rights are almost as important as the prospect of silverware for the supporters.
Ahead of the crunch tie, the 30-year-old insists that losing is not an option.
He said: "We played against them three years ago and I didn't know anything about Kilmarnock and Ayr United at that stage.
"But I know what I can expect now and I know there is no possibility for us, or the Ayr players, to lose.
"We play against each other maybe only once every four or five years so I know that all the Killie supporters would be really upset to have to hear from an Ayr fan every day saying, `Remember the time we beat you in the semi-final?'
"I don't even think they care about the final. To go through the semi-final and then lose in the final - they don't care.
"The main thing is beating their rivals. That shows you how much all the supporters care about this match."
Pascali was on target when Kilmarnock last faced Ayr in the Scottish Cup in 2009 and also netted the winner against Rangers in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League earlier this season.
But, as much as he would love to find the back of the net, the Italian midfielder insists he does not care who grabs the glory - as long as Killie secure their place in the final.
He said: "I wish I could score but the important thing is going through.
"Our goalkeeper Cammy Bell could score. It doesn't matter - it would be the same.
"It's always a pleasure to score in every game so if I had the chance to score in this game, I don't know what I would do.
"Maybe I would do three or four laps and you would need to call the police to stop me because it would be brilliant.
"But I just want to go to the final so whoever scores would be welcome."
Pascali knows all the pressure is on favourites Kilmarnock, even though Irn-Bru First Division side Ayr have already overcome SPL opposition on three occasions already.
He said: "We are an SPL side and we will be playing against a First Division team but you can see their record against all of the SPL clubs they have met before.
"It's really hard. They beat Hearts, Inverness and St Mirren. It's a semi-final, you are playing at Hampden and it's a derby.
"I think the technical qualities are even. It will just be a match of super-motivation.
"Everybody will be up for this match and everybody will dream about this match.
"I hope it's going to be an entertaining game for all the supporters and I hope it's going to be a great football day for the Ayrshire community."
Kenny Shiels has made two changes to his side with central defenders Mohamadou Sissoko and Zdenek Kroca being replaced by debutant Michael Nelson and midfielder James Dayton. Skipper Manuel Pascali will move back into defence.
Killie midfielder Dean Shiels has shrugged off an illness to keep his place in the starting line up.
For Ayr, midfielder Alan Trouten returns following a hamstring injury and striker Gareth Wardlaw has claimmed a started place with Mark Roberts and Adam Dodd on the bench.
Meanwhile, Ayr defender Martyn Campbell looks set to miss out.
Campbell has returned to full training after four months out following a knee operation, but a lack of match action means he is unlikely to feature at Hampden.
Manager Brian Reid said: "I had some big games as a player but this is the biggest as a boss. We are massive underdogs as we are a part-time team against full-timers but we will give it a real go.
"We have knocked out three SPL sides and beating a fourth and securing a final place would be a fantastic achievement."
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