Brian Reid urges Ayr United youngsters to seize their chance

Jul 30 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

BRIAN REID has called on Ayr’s exciting crop of teenagers to make their mark and urged them: You’ll never have a better chance.

And he hailed gritty Jonathan Tiffoney and told him to prove he can keep the right-back shirt.

On-loan St Johnstone striker Stephen Reynolds and Stephen McKeown, who both missed the 2-1 win over Airdrie, are added to the squad for Saturday’s long trip to Elgin in the CIS Cup.

And boss Reid, who is running the eye over former Morton keeper Ryan McWilliams, hopes to add two or three more to his slim squad.

But he will again be without midfielder Dean Keenan who serves a one match cup ban.

Reid praised Tiffoney for a ‘great game’ in the Alba Cup victory where fellow youngsters Aaron Connolly, Ross Robertson and Roddy Paterson also played a part off the bench

He said: “There is a great opportunity for these young players to step up to the plate. I would love nothing more for youngsters to come through this season and hope they take confidence from this.

“Jonathan had a great game and I’m a great believer that you if play well then you keep the shirt.”

Tiffoney will be asked for more of the same against an Elgin side who ran Ross County close before losing 2-1 last weekend.

Reid said: “I am expecting another difficult game. Apparently, Elgin have a 6ft 9in striker and they also have Allan Dempsie who played for us.

“It could be a physical test but I am looking for us to build on the win over Airdrie. We know we can play a lot better but you have to give Airdrie credit.

“They had some good loan players from Hearts and Falkirk in addition to the experienced Paul Lovering so it wasn’t just a team of kids.”

Ayr have ended their interest in full-back Willie McLachlan after it emerged that Clyde were looking for compensation.

They had to agree cash to sign Chris Smith from Dumbarton but Reid feels it’s money well spent.

He said: “I like the big man and feel he will be a good acquisition. I didn’t mind paying a bit as there are not many left-backs who can also play centre-half. But we don’t have a big budget.”

Gary Arbuckle and Kenny Connolly played in a bounce game on Tuesday night as they try to win deals.

Meanwhile, Mark Roberts is delighted to have been given the captain’s armband with Martyn Campbell as his assistant.

However, Roberts insists every player should see themself as a captain when they take to the field.

Roberts said: "It was no secret that I wanted to stay at the club. I’m delighted to have got everything sorted out, being made club captain helped with that and I’m looking forward to the new season.”