Ryan Stevenson says he’s sad to leave Ayr United

Feb 5 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

FANS’ favourite Ryan Stevenson admits he’s sad to leave Ayr in a relegation fight but says joining Hearts was an offer he couldn’t refuse.

Now he can’t wait to make his Jambos debut against Celtic at Parkhead nextWednesday.

Stevo, 25, left on deadline Monday in a deal that netted Ayr around £10,000 and teenage Hearts winger Rocky Visconte on loan.

Ryan, who said his farewells at Somerset on Tuesday morning, admitted: “It is hard to leave a club that I supported as a local boy but to go from Ayr to Hearts is amazing.

“I feel bad leaving halfway through the season but I am sure the boys are good enough to stay up.

“I would have loved to have been able to say cheerio to the fans against Raith but the game was off so I didn’t get the chance.

“When I came here from St Johnstone, it was always a case of taking a couple of steps backwards to take one forward for mycareer.

“The club was in a bad state when I joined but I helped them stay up and then we built on that.

“Scoring the winner in the play-offs against Airdrie last season was the highlight of my career without a shadow of a doubt.

“It took a lot for me to leave and I don’t like doing it in the club’s time of need. I wouldn’t have left for anyone but this was an offer I couldn’t refuse.

“Outside Rangers or Celtic, Hearts would be my next biggest move.”

Stevo beat the transfer deadline by just over two hours to sign a 2½ year deal at Tynecastle on Monday evening that will more than double his Ayr wage.

Now he’s set to lock horns with new Celtic signing Robbie Keane for a stunning debut.

Stevo, who becomes Jim Jefferies’ first signing, said: “What a start that would be if I get the chance to play. It’s a fairytale move for me and I can’t wait to get going.”