Keeper Jordan says he never lost Hart
Ayr No. 1 believed he would get another chance
Jordan Hart insists he always had faith in a title return – despite watching Ayr’s charge from the bench.
The goalkeeper was forced to stick in at training and win back his spot following January’s arrival of Wolves loan star Jack Ruddy.
And Hart, 22, marked his comeback with a vocal display at Airdrie which oozed confidence – a far cry from the stopper forced to make way earlier in the season.
He said: “Personally I am full of selfbelief, I always believed I was good enough to get back into the squad.
“Everyone in the squad is the same though, and I think that’s showing with the results we have picked up – long may it continue.
The Post revealed last week how boss Ian McCall was ready to throw Hart back into the frontline of the title fight.
“We all know that the manager has faith in every one of us,” said Hart.
“It was his decision to pick the team, and he put a lot of faith in me – so hopefully I have repaid him.”
He added: “It was a huge win against Airdrie. When you get to this stage of the season every win is as big as the last.
“At one point we were struggling but the belief in the team is just something else. We always believe we will get three points and we did.”
Raith Rovers dropped points against Arbroath in a 1- 1 draw, meaning that if results go the right way then Ayr can win the league on Saturday against
Ferguson, McIntosh, MacDonald, Kilday, McGregor, Watt, Stewart ( Fry), Conroy, Carrick, Russell, Hastie ( Brown). Subs not used Brownlie, Edwards, R Brown, Cairns.
Hart, Boyle ( Forrest), Geggan ( Ferguson), Crawford, Moore, McDaid ( McGuffie), Adams, Shankland, Reid, Kerr, Bell. Subs not used Murphy, Ruddy, Faulds, McCowan.
C Steven. 1129.
Stranraer. Hart said: “It’s not on our minds, we just need to worry about our own results.
“With three games to go we want to win them all, that’s all that matters.”
United fans gave Hart a wonderful reception from the stands, chanting his name loud and proud.
He said: “It was great to hear but I suppose when you’re on the park you can’t take stuff like that in.
“The most important thing was getting the three points but personally it was great to get that kind of support.
“It was a huge away support, the backing away from home has been different class.
“Hopefully the fans will get us over the line towards the end of the season.
“You can’t emphasise the belief in the team enough.
“There have been games we haven’t played to our maximum but we have shown that we can dig out results.
“The attitude is great, we never want to lose – even in training matches, that’s just the mentality.”
Goals from Robbie Crawford and Lawrence Shankland either side of halftime were enough to cancel out a Dale Carrick opener.
Manager McCall said: “I felt we deserved to win. It’s a big three points, no doubt about that.
“I want to say a great big thanks to our support.
“I felt the backing they gave Jordan was absolutely outstanding.
“He went through a tough period earlier in the season but he came back in and the crowd were brilliant with him, which says a lot about our fans.
“What I will say about that group of players is that to take 25 points out of 27 at this stage of the season is incredible.
“They have been different class.”