Ayr United boss Mark Roberts chases three new players

Dec 7 2012 by Mike Wilson, Ayrshire Post

Shattered Mark Roberts wants three new players as Ayr try to bounce back from their Scottish Cup horror.

And he has told his team to make up for the wounding defeat at Forfar by reaching the promotion play-offs.

A centre-half, wide midfielder and a striker will be chased when the transfer window opens.

On loan Rangers defender Kyle McAusland, who was due to return to Ibrox on December 15, is staying until the end of the season.

Gaffer Roberts insisted the tie at Forfar should have been won long before the home side clinched a 2-1 win.

He is threatening to drop himself to the bench when Ayr head to form team Brechin on Saturday, weather permitting.

Roberts, who will have Ryan McStay returning from suspension, said: “I may leave myself out as I have not done enough to keep my place.

“I have a few decisions to make this week. I will see how training goes but may shape the team differently.

“Losing to Forfar is a massive disappointment. I tried to let the boys know how big a game it was not just for them but the club.

“We could have wrapped it up after an hour but missed some good chances.

“If we had got a second goal, we would have cruised it. We battered them for 15 minutes at the start of the second-half.

“I hate the way Forfar play. They just launch it forward from start to finish but the bottom line is it’s a threat so fair play to them.”

Roberts is delighted to have extended the loan deal for the towering McAusland.

He said: “It’s a massive boost and he will go back to Rangers as a first team player with Ayr and not just a youth player.

Roberts insists he won’t moan even although he knows he can’t splash cash in the window.

He said: “It’s always important to get people in during January to give people a jolt. I won’t mump about the money situation because I knew that at the start of the season.”

With Darian Mackinnon back at Hamilton and Martyn Campbell and Michael McGowan both long term crocks, Roberts needs more bodies.

Bobby Barr, who has been at Livingston and East Fife, would have been a target. But league rules state you can’t play for three teams in one season.

All eyes are on the weather for the trip to Brechin who are flying under new boss Ray McKinnon.