Ayr United boss Mark Roberts chases two experienced players

Jan 11 2013 by Mike Wilson, Ayrshire Post

Ayr boss Mark Roberts is going window shopping for a prize double.

Two experienced players who have been over course and distance are in his sights.

And Roberts will this week tie up a deal for Michael Donald who has spent three games on trial.

On Saturday, Roberts leads Ayr to Forfar who have beaten them twice this season.

He said: “We definitely need a couple of really experienced players I can trust. Whether I can get them for Saturday I’m not sure.

“I’m delighted to get Michael who did really well at Stranraer. He gave us real energy up the left side, won tackles and gave us great width. He had a good grounding with Rangers as a youngster before going to America.”

Roberts insists Ayr are ready to make it third time lucky against Forfar after losing to them in league and cup.

United have won just once in their last four trips to Angus and that was a thumping 4-1 victory in the 2011 play-offs.

The manager said: “We know exactly how they play from back to front so we have to deal with that.

“We should have beaten them at Somerset and the cup tie could have gone either way. We could have been 3-0 up before they equalised.

“I won’t talk about play-off positions until we are seven points away from second bottom. We are still in a relegation battle.”

Helping Ayr’s transfer pot is Somerset Boab who has so far raised £1500 from CD sales.

Roberts said: “It’s exactly what this club needs and will allow me to make a decent signing until the end of the season.”

Boab is hoping to bring in more cash. He added: “If I can get to £2000 I will feel it is worthwhile.

“I need pubs and clubs to buy 10 CDs up front and they can sell them on. That would be a real help to Marko.”

Meanwhile, teenager Robbie Crawford, who took a hefty knock at Stair Park, will be nursed through training to have him OK for Forfar. Adam Hunter is back in the fray after an ankle injury.

Roberts said: “Robbie has been a massive player for us this season and it’s fantastic to say that of an 18-year-old.

“I will give him every opportunity for the last thing I want is to have Robbie on the sidelines for a long while.”

●Ayr are 11/5 to win at Forfar who are evens. McBookie.com make the draw 5/2. David Winters, who hit the winner at Stranraer, is 6/1 to open the scoring.

Others include Austin McCann at 16/1 and Michael Moffat at 13/2.