WE’LLBEUP TOSPEED

Bullen: We’ll be ready for league opener

Lee Bullen insists his Ayr side will come good in time for their Championship curtain raiser.

United’s Premier Sports Cup fate was still in their own hands this week following a slow start to their group campaign.

But Bullen is adamant his men are coming to the boil ahead of Arbroath’s visit for the league kick off on July 30.

He told the Post: “Of course we want to progress in the cup and that is always the aim in every competition we enter.

“But you look around and see that every team is still experimenting with players and systems at this stage.

“The key is that we’re learning a lot and come that Arbroath game, we will be ready to go.”

Ayr were due at Annan last night (Tuesday) before finishing their group schedule at St Johnstone on Saturday.

Two wins will see them to the knockout stage after United were awarded a 3-0 walkover for their opening Group F game with Elgin.

It followed the visitors including the suspended Darryl McHardy from the bench at Somerset.

Bullen, meanwhile, continues to search for squad reinforcements.

He said: “Ideally we’d bring another couple in and they’d be boys with experience of the Scottish game.

“We may look at the loan market and see what is available.”

Ayr await final visa clearance for summer signing David Bangala whose arrival is being held back by immigration red tape.

Bullen said: “We’re at the final stage now and just awaiting that last stamp on the passport. It’s been a frustrating process but there’s nothing we can do about it. We’re at the mercy of the system.”

United managing director, Graeme Mathie, has been elected to serve on the new SPFL Board.

He was one of seven club representatives voted in on Monday.