Michael O’Neil reckons it was the best £ 5 a week ever spent.

And he had no regrets about sanctioning the mega- money deal for Michael Moffat as soon as he caught sight of him.

Now as Ayr United hotshot Moff stands only one goal from a century, his first football gaffer recalls the bizarre signing which saw him plucked from under the noses of Celtic.

O’Neil was manager of Girvan FC when he was tipped off about the lad from Lochside.

“I signed Michael from the back of the Celtic Supporters’ Club bus”, laughs O’Neil, now a top Prestwick chef.

“Michael had been playing with a local boys’ club but was more interested in following Celtic every Saturday.

“I got a shout from the brother of one of our players who said: ‘ I’ll get you a player who will score you 25 goals a season from midfield’.

“Daniel Buchanan was a fan who was the brother of Raymond, one of our central defenders.

“He told me Moff was a big talent and I should take a look at him.

“My assistant Scott Taylor and I were big Celtic fans, so it was hard for us to talk anyone out of supporting the club.

“But somehow we managed and it turned out to be great news for Girvan and now Ayr.

“We already had good strikers in Chris Doyle and Darren Mitchell who were banging in the goals but I knew Michael was something special the minute I clapped eyes on him.

“Scott and I played him in right midfield and he instantly made an impact. He was quickly averaging 15 to 20 goals per season.

“We paid him £ 5 a game with a £ 5 win bonus, so I would say Girvan got value for their money.

“In my opinion, he was always destined for the seniors and I am delighted to see him doing so well with Ayr.”

O’Neil remembers one game in particular when Moff made a huge impact — despite very nearly getting axed.

He recalled: “We were due to