United take on Jags

May 16 2007 Ayrshire Post

AYR United are heading to Firhill for a pre-season friendly against Partick Thistle.

The game, on Saturday July 21, takes their summer schedule to five and comes after talks with Kilmarnock broke down.

Ayr had been keen to relaunch the Ayrshire Cup which hasn’t recently been played for but when an agreement couldn’t be reached, turned their sights elsewhere.

Ayr head to the Annan tournament on July 14 and 15 where they join the hosts, Stranraer and Queen of the South in a round robin event.

They entertain Motherwell on Wednesday July 25 and SPL new boys Gretna the following Saturday.

Boss Neil Watt is happy with his lot and added: “They will all be tough although people should remember they are just training games.

“We are currently building a squad, not just a team, and the players I have added are all experienced and have played at a good competitive level.”

The relegation of Airdrie United, who will stay full-time, makes for a tough Second Division next season.

Watt said: “It’s going to be a good league with Airdrie, Ross County and Peterhead full-time while Raith are three-quarters of the way there.”

Watt is this week speaking to Ayr youngsters Kyle Bryson, John McStay and James Creaney while tying up a deal for former Stranraer wing-back Steven Swift.

lFormer Ayr defender Dougie Ramsay, who was freed by Stranraer, has joined the growing colony of ex-senior players at Irvine Meadow.