Former York City defender Andy McMillan is set to draw on his Bootham Crescent giant-killing cup grounding as he plots the downfall of the mighty Rangers.

The one-time City favourite is gearing up for one of the biggest games of his career when his current club, Ayr United, tackle the Gers and their fleet of international stars in the Scottish Cup semi-final at a packed Hampden Park tomorrow.

Up to 50,000 fans are expected to watch as Ayr, mid-table in the Scottish First Division, bid to reach their first Scottish Cup final in their 90-year history.

McMillan, second in York City's all-time appearance record, admitted 'The Honest Men' were facing a mighty task.

"It is something like 27 years since Ayr played in a semi-final and Rangers are going for the double so it is going to be really difficult," toldthe Evening Press.

"It is going to be a long shot but when you think what has happened in cup football before then anything can happen."

The South-African born full back was, of course, a member of the City side that beat Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford in the Coca-Cola Cup back in September 1995, eventually going through to the next round 4-3 on aggregate.

A season later he was also a key member of the York side that knocked Everton out of the same competition 4-3 on aggregate.

"There are a few English lads playing up here and they know what happened between York and Manchester United and there is no reason why it cannot happen again," he said.

"But to be fair, Rangers are going for the double and so will be taking it a lot more serious than Manchester United did and they are expecting to win."

Rangers' flying winger Andrei Kanchelskis has even used the 'York-experience' as a blast against complacency for the Glasgow giants.

"He's gone on record up here saying Rangers have to be careful, pointing out York had knocked Everton out of the Cup when he was at Goodison," revealed McMillan.

In any case, the left-back said he prefers doing things the hard way and would have it no other way.

"A lot of people are saying we should have avoided Rangers and played one of the other semi-finalists in Aberdeen or Hibernian.

"But we could still get knocked out and miss out on what will be a really great experience.

"To play at Hampden Park and against a team like Rangers will be unbelievable.

"I never realised just how big Celtic and Rangers were up here - they reckon 70 per cent of the population support one or the other. The fans are absolutely fanatical."

McMillan, who is living just outside the Strathclyde resort, admitted the whole of Ayr is keenly awaiting Saturday's clash.

"You walk down the town and there are banners hanging from shop windows wishing us well and the whole place is just buzzing with excitement. I think we have sold at least 10,000 tickets so there should be a great atmosphere."

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