Ayr United new boy desperate to get going

Jun 26 2009 by Mike Wilson

NEW boy Billy Gibson can’t wait to make his Ayr United debut in Austria and then flex his muscles against the Romanian champions.

And he’s banking on his former Partick team-mate Mark Roberts to show him the Somerset Park ropes.

Ayr have confirmed plans, first revealed in the Post last week, for a five day training camp in Austria from July 8 to 12. Then they’ll return to play Champions League entrants Unirea Urziceni on Wednesday, July 15.

Gibson, 27, has become Ayr’s fourth summer signing following in the footsteps of Kevin James, Andy Aitken and David O’Brien. And he could soon be followed by a goalkeeper.

Gibson, who captained Clyde, was axed along with the rest of the squad after the club hit the financial skids following their relegation to the Second Division.

The right-back or central defender said: “I’m just delighted to keep myself in the First Division and am excited at signing for Ayr. I’ve been watching their progress since leaving Clyde and was at Airdrie for the play-off win when they clinched promotion. Ayr play a lot of good football and were unfortunate not to win the league. I reckon Kevin James will add a lot of stability at the back and I know a few of their players, including Mark Roberts who I played with for two seasons at Partick Thistle.

“Mark’s a real nice guy who’s been around for years so I’m sure he’ll help me settle in.”

Gibson started his career with Rangers before moving to Partick on loan for the first half of 2004. He was released by Rangers that summer before joining Thistle on a permanent transfer and staying there for three years.

He had a spell in Ireland with St Patrick's Athletic before being snapped up by Clyde boss John Brown, who coached him during his spell with Rangers.

Gibson said: “It’s unfortunate what happened at Clyde and they really needed to stay up to keep their squad. I won a couple of player of the year trophies but missed the last four games with a broken bone in my foot after getting a kick in training.

“I’m carrying a bit of an injury but hopefully will be over it in time to play my first game in Austria.”

Meanwhile, Ayr will fly fromEdinburgh to their training camp in Obertraun which will culminate with a game against Austrian opposition.

The camp is situated in the mountains and this year will host Chelsea, Everton, Preston and Notts County among others.

Kenny Moyes, brother of Everton manager David, runs the company which brokered the deal that has left everyone at United brimming with anticipation.

Chairman Lachlan Cameron said: “We wanted to do something different and thought about England, France or Finland. The chance to visit Austria came along and it’s one we are eagerly looking forward to.”

Ayr report back for pre-season training on Saturday with a double session planned. In addition to the visit of the Romanians, they will entertain SPL duo St Mirren and St Johnstone on July 18 and 20.

Teenage goalie David Mitchell is set to join Stranraer on loan while Scott Agnew could make a similar switch to Alloa but deals have not yet been concluded.

Early discount price season tickets are available until June 30.