Ayr United are reportedly closing in on the loan signing of Celtic midfielder Kyle Ure, with the Championship club poised to beat Partick Thistle to the teenager’s signature. [RecordSport]
Ayr have already taken Jude Bonnar on loan from Celtic this summer and remain in discussions with the Parkhead club over a potential cooperation agreement. The move could see more of Celtic’s emerging talent head to Somerset Park over the course of the season.
Financially, Ayr are understood to be in a stronger position than their Championship rivals.
That edge, combined with Brown’s personal relationship with the Celtic hierarchy and the coaching setup, has helped accelerate talks and make the Somerset Park outfit a more attractive destination.
Ure has spent pre-season training with Brendan Rodgers’ first team and has impressed the coaching staff during the summer schedule.
However, with limited first-team opportunities available at Celtic Park this season, the club believes a loan spell in the Championship will provide him with valuable experience at senior level.
The midfielder is considered a promising talent within the academy setup and a move to Ayr would give him the chance to play regular competitive football under the guidance of a manager well-versed in Celtic’s standards and demands.
While Ayr appear to have won the race for Ure, Partick Thistle have not come away empty-handed.
Clarke is also highly rated within Lennoxtown and will be hoping a spell at Firhill gives him the platform to push on. Both moves form part of a wider strategy at Celtic to give their top youth prospects meaningful first-team exposure at a competitive level.
