Loanee Maxwell among a number of quandaries for new Ayr boss Bullen
After running an estate agency business in Sheffield, ‘moving’ is something Lee Bullen is well versed in. And, with this being January, there are moves aplenty in the football world.
The Ayr United manager returned north last week and steered his new team to victory over cinch Championship leaders Arbroath thanks to James Maxwell’s strike being bundled over the line by Ricky Little.
Maxwell, inset, is someone who could be on the move, even though his loan from Rangers was initially signed for the full season. There is still clarity to be established with others.
“I need to speak to Graeme [Mathie] and the chairman,” said Bullen, who saw Steven Bradley return to Hibs and has Jonathan Afolabi’s loan from Celtic hitting the halfway point when, like Maxwell’s, it can be reviewed. “It seems to be everyclubintheleagueisafter Maxwell at the moment but the way he played in the firsthalf, drifting into the pockets, was just fantastic.”
Positioned higher up the park to great effect on Saturday, Maxwell doesn’t know if or where he’ll be going either. Leeds are reportedly keen, Dunfermline have made their desire public. For now, he is at Ayr but keeps in touch with Rangers regularly.
“There are a lot of reports over the years. Some are true, some aren’t. I am happy playing here and unless there was something I really wanted to jump at and do, I can see myself staying here.
“I deal with Billy Kirkwood, the loans manager. I’ve spoken to him a lot recently, just keeping him up-to-date.”
The reports back will be predominantly positive. Although it has been credited to the unfortunate Little, Maxwell is claiming a third goal of his spell: “Absolutely. It was going on target, wasn’t it? It got a wee double kick off him, if they give me it, I’ll take it.”
Goal or not, he certainly caught the eye on Saturday, just as Joel Nouble has done throughout his own loan at Arbroath. He’s definitely on the move, and will be back at Livingston for the Premiership resumption, but leaves a parting message to his teammates – urging them not to lose the top spot his five goals and forward play has contributed to.
“A lot of strong teams will be strengthening but I’m fairly confident they can maintain it,” said Nouble. “I’ve told them I want to come at the end of the season and get my medal, but it’s going to be one of the tightest title races in a while.”
Arbroath have already replaced him with Jack Hamilton,andassistantiancampbell revealed there will “definitely” be more movement before their top of the table matchwithraithonsaturday.
Bullenhasplansforhisteam this month too, after seeing them win his first game in charge: “There’s a bit of player trading to go on, the squad is imbalanced in certain areas – we have a lot of defenders, not so many midfielders. If Afolabigoesbackthat’sanoffensive position to look at.
“We know we are working within constraints and budgets but we’ll do it the right way on behalf of the football club – but we’re halfway there if we have boys willing to put that sort of effort in.”