Latest news with #HonestMen
Daily Record
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Ayr United head race to land Liam Dick as full back leaves Championship rivals Raith Rovers
The Honest Men are keen to add more experience to their ranks ahead of the new season. Ayr United are in pole position to land experienced left back Liam Dick. The Honest Men head the queue for the 29-year-old, who has just left Raith Rovers having played more than 150 games during his stint in Kirkcaldy. Dick, who has also enjoyed spells at Falkirk, Dumbarton and Stranraer, has confirmed he is set for his "next chapter" after deciding to leave Barry Robson's side following four years in Fife. Scott Brown is a keen admirer of the full back and would like to strengthen the position with another player who has been over Championship course and distance. It follows this week's capture of former Partick Thistle goalkeeper David Mitchell, with the 35-year-old swapping Maryhill for Somerset Park. United remain in talks with their out of contract players and could face competition from the top flight to retain the services of Connor McLennan, with the midfielder mulling over his future.
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Premier Sports Cup draw sees Ayr United set for clash with St Mirren as group stage revealed
The Honest Men will test themselves against the Saints as part of their group campaign. Ayr have learned their Premier Sports Cup fate this lunchtime after being drawn in Group D of the new season's first competition. Scott Brown's side will tackle Premiership opposition in the shape of St Mirren, who enjoyed an excellent season to finish inside the top six under Steven Robinson. The Honest Men will also face newly promoted Arbroath after the Red Lichties won promotion back to the Championship following a great season at Gayfield. United's group is completed by League Two sides Annan Athletic and Forfar. The group stage will kick off on the weekend of July 12 and run through until the end of the month before the curtain is raised on the new league season.
The National
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Scott Brown Ayr United future update after furious rant
The Celtic legend was aghast after his side blew the chance of promotion to the Premiership by losing their play-off quarter-final second leg against Partick Thistle. The Honest Men led 1-0 from the first leg before succumbing to a Brian Graham double. Brown strongly hinted he would be considering his own future in the aftermath as he insisted he couldn't see his own imprint on the team despite being in the job 15 months. His post-match comments were: "I've got to have a long, hard think about things and see where I go from here. "I've got to take a little bit of time to think about the game and the situation because watching that, that's not really my team. "So, now, we'll just see where we go together." Read more: Jamie Vardy Celtic transfer poser and Premier League dilemma raised Rennes make Kyogo decision as ex-Celtic star costs them £83k per minute But Smith has moved to reassure fans the 39-year-old is going nowhere and says conversations having already been had about plans for next season. Discussions on recruitment are well down the line and the chairman hopes announcements can be made soon. He said: 'Scott's a great guy and we get on really well. 'I think some of his comments were taken a little bit out of context. 'Listen, him and Steven are completely committed to next season - as are we with them. 'We had started dialogue about what next season looks like weeks ago, a Championship or Premiership season. Now we know it's the Championship. 'Scott and Steven have been working really hard. We're all excited and the relationship's really good. 'We're in dialogue with players, we're in dialogue with players who are out of contract. 'Hopefully, a couple of imminents in the next wee while would be nice. 'We're working hard to get the playing budget back up. 'Last year's budget was the highest the club's ever had. We're hoping to have a similar level for this season so that we can compete at that top level.'
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Graeme Mathie says Ayr United squad 'well placed' to bounce back from play-off disappointment
The managing director says Ayr won't require huge summer surgery and will prioritise quality over quantity. Graeme Mathie insists Ayr United are 'well placed' to bounce back from their play-off disappointment. The Honest Men fell flat on the big stage as they were knocked out by Partick Thistle on Friday night. Boss Scott Brown has confessed he will need to recruit 'leaders' to take Ayr to the next level. Mathie, the Somerset managing director, says the Jags defeat left the club floored. But he is adamant the foundations are already in place ahead of a summer rebuild. He told the Ayrshire Post: 'We are in a far better place in terms of squad size and quality than we were at this time last year. 'A good core of players are signed for next season and that gives us a platform that means we're well placed to build. 'Everyone clearly felt the disappointment of the way the season ended, and there is no getting away from that. 'It was gutting for all concerned, but it is a sign of the progress being made that we now have a certain level of expectation around this club. 'My job is to ensure we remain level headed about things – whether at high points or the low.' Mathie added: 'Twice in the last three years we've reached the promotion play-offs in the Championship – the challenge is to take that next step now. 'We need to bounce back from this disappointment but we will.' Ayr are holding talks with out of contract players this week but it's unlikely there will be the usual summer exodus. More than a dozen players are under contract and first teamers such as Scott McMann, Dylan Watret, Paddy Reading, Ben Dempsey, Marco Rus, George Oakley and Curtis Main are all signed for next season. Rising star Watret has triggered an extension in his deal until 2028 following his breakout season, while goalkeeper Liam Russell has also signed on for another year. It's also expected that Jamie Murphy will agree to stay on and expand his remit to include a coaching role. The problem goalkeeper position – Ayr used five different players between the sticks last season – is set to focus minds during the summer. United would ideally like to recruit an experienced number one, while a centre half with top leadership qualities will also head the shopping list.
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Ayr United take play-off advantage as Jamie Murphy heads Firhill winner for Honest Men
United will go into Friday's second leg with a narrow lead after coming through tonight's Firhill tie on top. Jamie Murphy used all of his experience to put Ayr in the play-off driving seat as the Honest Men mastered Maryhill on Tuesday night. The veteran playmaker popped up with a glancing header early in the second half to deservedly hand United the advantage going into Friday's second leg at Somerset. United were measured for large parts of this contest and even had to negotiate an early injury reshuffle at the back which threatened to derail their plans. They had been dealt a huge body blow before a ball was even kicked when George Stanger - an ever-present in the Championship this season - was ruled out through injury. And United could name only six on their bench as they went with a reshaped back three with saw Nick McAllister and Lenny Agbaire alongside Scott McMann. Their woes continued just seconds into the game when McAllister sustained a head knock challenging Dan O'Reilly and, although able to continue for a few minutes, ultimately had to be withdrawn. That meant another reshuffle with the game barely underway, but Ayr refused to be knocked from their stride and began the game brightly. Marco Rus went close as they had the game's first chance before a flurry of stoppages in play by ref David Dickinson threatened to spoil the contest. Ayr needed Josh Clarke to come up big with a massive stop to deny Thistle co-manager Brian Graham when he plucked the striker's goalbound header out of the air - just as it looked to be soaring into the top corner. Seconds later, Dickinson came to Ayr's aid when he waved away loud penalty shouts after Agbaire had tussled with Robbie Crawford inside the box. Half time was met with a chorus of boos from the home support, who showered Dickinson with a less than positive appraisal of his display to that point. And the mood of the Thistle support didn't improve much after the interval as Ayr forged in front with a beauty of a goal. Connor McLennan did the spadework down the right with a wicked delivery and veteran Murphy arrived with the deftest of headers to send the Ayr support wild. United could have been dreaming on the hour mark when McLennan picked the pocket of the Thistle defence but he couldn't play in Oakley with the Ayr number nine screaming for a pass when unmarked in the box. And with Ayr beginning to enjoy themselves, McLennan then flashed an effort inches wide of the post as the visitors looked to flex their muscle on the tie. The hosts piled forward in the latter stages in the hope of a dramatic leveller and Graham headed wide with the clock ticking down but Ayr were able to see it out.
