A peep from referee Willie Collum's whistle and we're off.

Who's winning this one then?

Thumbs up for Ayr.

Thumbs down for Partick.

Amy Canavan
BBC Scotland at Somerset Park

When I say it's a dreich night, I mean it's an awfy dreich night.

Things have been fairly grim on the pitch recently too for Ayr United, but with a 10-day break since their last game - the cup exit against Falkirk - Lee Bullen told me he's hoping that wee spell together will set them in good stead.

Less gloomy for Thistle, though. And of course, they're returning to the stage of their mighty 5-0 play-off win. Happy memories for those who played their part that night. In saying that, there's been a fair wee bit of change since then, particularly in that midfield.

The weather may be rank, but here's hoping the action ain't so drab...

Image source, SNS

Partick Thistle captain Brian Graham tells BBC Scotland: "We've been a bit up and down recently but in the last two league games we've had two great victories.

"We come down here full of confidence to go and get another three points.

"We're looking forward to the match."

Ayr United manager Lee Bullen tells BBC Scotland: "[The break has] allowed us to get back on the training ground and bed in new players and try and get them to buy into exactly the type of things we're looking for from them.

"Fingers crossed we can go out there and put on the show I know these players can do, we've got a really good group of players.

"I know that we're going through a tough time at the minute, I understand that, but no better way than under the lights on a Friday night against Partick Thistle [to put it right]."

A recent BBC Sport Scotland tweet has kicked up a bit of a stooshie about the correct terminology for a certain footballing piece of skill.

Head over to '@BBCSportScot' to have a look for yourself and then get clicking the thumbs here.

Thumbs up for 'Aye, it's called the McGeady spin.'

Thumbs down for 'Nope, not for me.'

Jonathan Sutherland
BBC Sport Scotland

The very fact Aiden McGeady is approaching his 20th year as a professional is enough to make those of a certain age feel very old.

Surely it was not that long ago the fresh faced winger was Celtic's bright new hope?

A lot has happened in McGeady's career since his debut at Tynecastle back in April 2004.

At 37, he's playing with Ayr United but he has a new role too - technical manager. So what does a technical manager do?

"Graham [Mathie, managing director] didn't want to put a definitive title on it but it means I can look at a lot of different areas," explains McGeady.

• Read more about McGeady's new role, academic pursuits, and more here

Image source, SNS

Lee Bullen's side haven't made the best start to this season.

They're currently second-bottom of the Scottish Championship, having lost three of their opening four games.

Equally alarmingly for them, they have the division's joint-worst goal difference with minus five.

Plenty of time to turn it all around yes, but the longer runs like this go on for, the more challenging it is to find a way back to form.

Image source, SNS

Should the visitors triumph tonight, they'll go level on points with the league's leaders Dundee United and Raith Rovers.

Brian Graham is currently joint top in the league's goalscoring charts with the veteran forward already bagging three goals in four games.

Promotion, or at least a playoff spot, will undoubtedly be the target for the club this season and they've certainly made a strong start.

Image source, SNS

The international break is but a mere memory as SPFL football returns.

Ayr United host Partick Thistle in this season's second offering of live Scottish Championship action on BBC Scotland.

Get comfy, grab your refreshment of choice, and settle in from what will - hopefully - be a cracker at Somerset this evening.

Teams news and build up is on the way.

Image source, SNS