As a diehard Newcastle fan, Cammy Salkeld knows all about the importance of Derby Day.
The Geordie, one of Ayr United’s new faces this summer, grew up focusing on little else than beating his local rivals.
As a youth prospect with the Magpies, he even got to pull on the black and white against the Mackems.
“Even at Under-16s it’s a game that means so much,” he told the Ayrshire Post.
“I grew up with all of my family supporting Newcastle, so I was never going to have a choice in the matter.
“And the derby is the be all and end all.
“To a lot of fans on both sides, all that matters is winning that fixture.”
Sunderland’s slide down the English pryamid in recent years has robbed supporters of regular clashes.
But it remains one of English football’s hottest rivalries.
And as Ayr and Killie prepare to lock horns on league duty for the first time in 28 years, Salkeld sees the similarities.
The 22-year-old said: “Fans of both clubs no doubt miss the fixture being a regular thing.
“Nothing beats a proper derby and having that gap will make it all the more special.
“It’s massive for us being in the same league now and is great for both towns.
“Ever since I’ve arrived at Ayr, I’ve been made aware of just what the fixture means.
“I’ll be stood in the club shop and fans will come up to me saying, ‘make sure you beat them!’
“It suits me right down to the ground because I love this type of fixture.
“I’m someone who gives it their all for the shirt and I can’t wait for Monday night.”
United will go into battle at Rugby Park without the backing of their supporters but Salkeld insists they can overcome the disadvantage.
He said: “They’ll want to make it intimidating for us but we just have to go out there and play our game.
“I’ll just imagine I’m pulling on the Newcastle shirt at St James’ Park against Sunderland – so I’ll have no problem getting fired up!”
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
