Football Season Guide

Ayr seemed like promotion contenders midway through last season thanks mainly to the scoring form of Lawrence Shankland. However, injuries caught up with them and they finished the season exhausted in 4th place and were in no shape for the play-offs. Ian McCall’s reputation for boom-or-bust football was evident once again. Shankland eventually opted for Dundee United and as he was out of contract and Ayr received nothing. They also lost important players like Robbie Crawford, Michael Rose and Liam Smith over the summer. With little money Ayr have been quiet over the summer, but they have signed Sam Roscoe, who proved a success on loan at Alloa last season. Kris Doolan also brings a wealth of experience to their attack. With several key players departed, Ayr will struggle to reproduce the form of the first half of last season. The title looks well beyond them and they could struggle to make the top four again. Ayr have some very experienced campaigners with Michael Moffat and Kris Doolan knowing every trick in the book at this level of football. Goalkeeping could be problem if on-loan Ross Doohan becomes injured. He impressed on-loan last season from Celtic and has signed again with Ayr having little cover otherwise.