Celtic explore deal to send top young stars to Scott Brown and his ambitious Ayr United side
Celtic are ready to send three of their top starlets to Ayr United with the clubs exploring an official tie-up.
Somerset bosses have made a pitch to use the new SFA Cooperation system, which aims to develop young Scottish talent.
Hoops chiefs see their club legend, Scott Brown, as the ideal man to guide the Parkhead prospects as part of his ambitious Ayr side.
Advanced talks have taken place and an agreement is close, the Ayrshire Post understands.
United took Lenny Agbaire on loan from the Celtic B side last season, with the young defender flourising during his Somerset spell. He has since won a permanent move south to League One Rotherham United.
The new co-op system enables players aged 16-21, who are eligible to represent the Scotland national teams, to join a lower-league club.
However, they are still free to move between the parent and cooperation club throughout the season to increase playing time, with the parent club paying the salary for the player.
Ayr, who have already set up their own co-op deal with East Stirling, were able to utilise the system last night by recalling Lucas McRoberts, Jamie Hislop and Kenzie Mitchell for their Premier Sports Cup clash with Annan.
The trio all stepped off the bench in the second half with McRoberts scoring in Ayr's 6-1 win.
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