Ayr United move for Aussie

Oct 16 2009 by Mike Wilson

AYR UNITED swooped on Wednesday for a 20-year-old Australian midfielder on loan from Hearts.

And if the paperwork was tied up in time, 6ft 3in Ryan McGowan would go straight into the team to face Dundee at Somerset that night.

A short term deal for a Croatian striker is also on the table while a loan move for an SPL hit man, believed to be St Johnstone’s Peter MacDonald, is close to being sealed.

Frustrated boss Brian Reid is desperate to beef up his wafer thin squad and believes they will be great additions.

He said: “McGowan signed a five year deal at Tynecastle and played in the Under 20 World Cup in Egypt.

“He can play right back but is also a defensive midfielder. He is a great athlete and is hungry for the experience. I hope to have him until January.”

Reid is also keen to land the 6ft 2in striker of Croatian descent who has shown up well in two training sessions.

He revealed: “We need international clearance to even play him in a reserve game but to do that we have to offer him something. It’s one worth taking a look at, it wouldn’t cost much so it could be a gamble worth taking.

“He’s a big lad with a good technique and touch so isn’t a battering ram type of player. He played with Schalke from 12 to 18 and then in Romania and Croatia. He’s got a decent background.

“After Saturday’s game at Dunfermline we have to do something. We need to threaten more and get the ball in the net more often.”

Reid took in an SPL bounce game on Tuesday when MacDonald, who is returning from a long time hamstring injury, was thought to be the target.

He said: “The lad did well but has still a bit of work to do with his fitness but I am hopeful he will be with us soon.”

Reid believes if Ayr could turn their pretty outfield play into goals, they would be top half of the First Division.

He claimed: “We are not playing enough forward passes and are going across the park too often. We got our goal from more direct passing and that’s what we have to do more often.”

Reid cast envious eyes towards Dundee top gun Leigh Griffiths, who was a £125,000 summer signing from Livingston.

He said: “I tried to get him from Livingston two years ago when Mark Proctor was manager. He was thinking about it but instead got into their first team and the rest is history.

“He’s now Dundee’s most dangerous finisher and I think he could move to England later in his career. I am convinced if we had someone like him in our team we would be top half of the league.

“I know exactly what we need but I am not in the position to go and sign a £1000 a week striker. Unfortunately, I am working at the bargain basement area of the market.

“We need to shake things up because there is nobody chipping in with goals to help Mark Roberts. Dundee have three or four top class strikers from which to choose and that’s a great position to be in.”

Reid has cast the net far and wide to land the goal scorer he so desperately needs. A French Moroccan, who scored twice in a Dam Park practice match, was moved on because it was felt his all round game didn’t measure up.

Kevin James was ruled out for Wednesday with an achilles injury and is rated touch and go for Saturday’s trip to Partick Thistle. Andy Aitken still isn’t 100 per cent with an ankle knock but could return in a reserve game next week.