Brian Reid urges Ayr players to win themselves new contracts

Mar 19 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

KEEP us in the league – and prove you’re worth a new contract.

That’s the call from Ayr boss Brian Reid, who’s challenged his men to play for their futures.

None of United’s first team squad is signed beyond the end of this season.

And Reid wants first division safety secured – so he can get the paperwork done for another year.

He confessed: “It will make a huge difference to the budget for next year if we’re in the first division.

“The players know that where we finish this season will have a huge effect on what happens to them.

“So staying up is crucial and allows us to get guys re-signed and look to the future, which is what everyone wants.”

Loan signings Chris Mitchell (Falkirk), Danny Lafferty (Celtic), Danny McKay (Kilmarnock), Ryan McGowan and Rocky Visconte (both Hearts) will all return to their SPL clubs in May.

And those left behind have between now and the end of the campaign to secure their new deals.

But Reid’s just happy that his squad, which has been bolstered to 21 players since the January transfer window, is now giving him options.

And he’s ready to use a rotation policy as Ayr tackle a hectic period of games.

Reid said: “It makes a nice change to be sitting here with options in a number of positions.

“I pretty much have a full squad to choose from at the moment – and I haven’t been able to say that since the start of the season.

“But I’ve told the players that with the number of games coming up, there will be changes made to keep things fresh.

“Until recently, I was battling away with 16 fit players and it made things very difficult.

“The good thing is I’m now able to change things when I want and hopefully it can be a real bonus for us during the run-in.”

Long term crocks Kevin James, Willie Easton and Billy Gibson are all back in training and poised to return, while Mark Roberts has also recovered from his knock.

Ayr were set to put their five game unbeaten run on the line against league leaders Dundee at Somerset on Wednesday.

And next up is a visit from promotion chasing Queen of the South on Saturday.

Now Reid is urging the players to put the disappointment of lost points behind them as they go for more.

He insisted: “We should have been sitting six points ahead of Morton by now because we lost two at Inverness and another two at Airdrie.

“But there’s no point crying over spilt milk. We’re trying to go out and win every game and no-one will fancy coming to Somerset right now.

“However, we need the fans to come out and be our twelfth man because the players really appreciate the support and get a boost from it.

“A large number of our remaining games are at Somerset and if we win those we’ll be fine.

“We’re also picking up points away from home at the moment so we have to be happy with our form.”

DDean Keenan has copped a two game suspension, kicking off on March 27, while Martyn Campbell is one yellow away from a ban.

DAyr’s game against Ross County, due to take place next Wednesday, has been re-scheduled for Wednesday, April 28 because of County’s Scottish Cup committments.

DUnited have sent striker Kevin Cawley out on loan to Stranraer, where he joins winger Scott Agnew at Stair Park. Cawley made his debut in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Berwick.