TRIPLE SWOOP McCall looks to land trio before Betfred Cup opener
Ayr boss Ian McCall plans to bolster his squad with three signings ahead of Saturday’s Betfred Cup curtain- raiser against Morton.
A deal to sign former Rangers midfielder, Andy Murdoch, has been agreed, with League One title winner David Ferguson also ready to ink a new six- month contract. And the Post understands Ayr’s summer- long chase for a keeper is finally at an end. A highly- rated stopper who travelled to Toulon with the Scotland Under- 21s is set to link up at Somerset Park. McCall said: “We’ve had to be patient but it hasn’t been for lack of trying. “The chairman and board have been absolutely fantastic and done everything in their power to get these deals done. “What people need to remember is that we’re going into a league where teams are selling 3,000 season tickets and we’re shifting 600- odd. That makes it a very big task to compete financially, but we’re reaching the stage where our squad is getting to the numbers that I wanted.” Murdoch played his third trial game as Ayr ran out 2- 1 winners against English non- league side AFC Fylde at Inverclyde on Saturday with goals from Alan Forrest and Craig Moore. McCall said: “I’m delighted to get the deal for Andy agreed. He is proven at this level and it’s an area where we needed to add.” Ross Docherty, who is almost ready to rejoin full training, could be eased back in as part of Ayr’s Betfred group games as McCall prepares to rotate his squad. He said: “Don’t get me wrong, these games mean a lot to us and we very much want to progress. “But there will be rotation and everyone will have their shot at staking a claim. I’ve been delighted during pre- season and the first half down at Stranraer was as good as any Ayr team has played under me.”