Ayrshire Post

ADAMS HAILS STAR STRIKER ‘ THE BEST’

Skipper not surprised by big clubs chasing hitman

- Stuart Wilson

Ayr skipper Jamie Adams has hailed striker Lawrence Shankland as the best he has ever played with.

United face a battle to retain their 26- goal hitman in January with Swansea set to table a bid.

Adams is not surprised the vultures are circling and said: “I’ve been lucky enough to play with a few good strikers in my career.

“Stephen Dobbie was also a teammate of mine but Shanks is right up there, if not ahead of anyone I’ve played with.

“He has been outstandin­g and managed to improve on what he did last season.

“Shanks knows the team also helps him with the players we have and the way we play. It’s up to the club and Lawrence to settle on what happens.

“Right now we’re enjoying every game we get to play with him and he’s enjoying every game with us.

“He’s loving his football and we’re loving playing with him, it’s a good match.

“We don’t view this season as a fairytale. The boys knew how good they were when they came up.

“We’ve added players and kept the team together from last season but we’re not getting carried away.

“It’s a case of enjoying each game and seeing where it takes us.”

Shankland and Ayr were left frustrated as their live telly clash with Inverness bit the dust just 40 minutes before kick off on Friday.

Ref Craig Thomson pulled the plug as gale force winds and driving rain battered Somerset Park.

Adams said: “We are disappoint­ed but if the keeper can’t kick the ball out of his box it’s the right decision.

“I was involved in game like that once and it was a shambles.”

Adams is hoping to return for the Honest Men as United crank up their bid for the title.

The skipper hasn’t played for Ian McCall’s side since their 1- 0 win away to Partick Thistle on October 27.

He has been out with a thigh strain, but come back in to the reckoning as United look to cement top spot.

Boss Ian McCall said: “We’ll take no risks with big Jamie.”

 ??  ?? Familiar sight Goal king Lawrence Shankland surrounded by Ayr team- mates
Familiar sight Goal king Lawrence Shankland surrounded by Ayr team- mates

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