“My testimonial committee thought it would be a good idea but there were only about 30 Ayr fans there,” he said.
“They weren’t going to turn out for a Kilmarnock players and that’s fair enough. You can imagine Rangers and Celtic doing that: you’ve got no chance.
“At the end of the game I went and gave them a clap because I appreciated it. I don’t know if they clapped me back.
“Most of my pals are Kilmarnock fans and they’ve been contacting me ever since the draw was made. People were getting in touch and saying, ‘78 days to the big one’.
“It’s a cup final for both sets of fans and pretty much for both sets of players. The carrot is getting to the final, which would be amazing.”
Kilmarnock have signed former Bruges and Sparta Rotterdam striker Dieter van Tornhout from Cypriot club Nea Salamina but manager Kenny Shiels, fearful of disillusioning the rest of his squad, won’t play the Belgian on Saturday.
Shiels’ son, Dean, the creative fulcrum of the side, may be forced to miss the big day due to illness.
Full-back Alex Pursehouse and central defender Ryan O’Leary have been ruled out of contention due to long-term injuries.