TALENTED teenage defender/midfielder Ross McCrorie is hoping to help boost Ayr United's promotion hopes after joining on loan from Championship leaders Rangers.

The Dailly youngster, who turns 18 later this month and captained Scotland Under-17s in last season's European Championships, made his debut in Saturday's 1-0 League One win away to Airdrieonians.

Now he is looking forward to making his home debut tonight (Tuesday) as United welcome Cowdenbeath to Somerset Park for a league match.

He said after the game: "I play for the Rangers Under-20s so it's good to play against adults at a higher level and experience the physical side of the game. I was pleased with how I played and had a couple of chances. If I had taken another touch for one of my chances I could have scored and the other one I was unlucky with and just put the ball straight down the middle.

"It's good to have the chance to play for my local club. A lot of my family are Ayr fans and they will be at the game on Tuesday because it's at Somerset. My mum and brother were here today. I want to play well and impress Ian McCall as well as the gaffer at Rangers. Hopefully we can consolidate a playoff place and chase Dunfermline."

Manager Ian McCall was impressed with McCrorie's display and said: " Ross made a fine debut in his first game in Senior football. He is a defensive-minded player and quick and hugely talented."

Meanwhile midfielder Alan Trouten was delighted with the result and said: "Airdrie is a hard place to come and we have come here twice and picked up six points. We could have had two or three goals, although Greg Fleming made a great save near the end to help us win it. Hopefully the last two wins will give us confidence and every game we play we look to win. Dunfermline are looking strong but while it's mathematically possible we will fight all the way. I have come off the bench the last two weeks but want to play from the start."

Meanwhile McCall is looking to build on the win as United host Cowdenbeath tonight and are at Brechin on Saturday.

He said: It's a tough place to come and it was really good to have a clean sheet. It was great to have Ross Docherty back from injury which is great as he's the best central midfielder in the league. We look forward to the next two games and must aim to keep winning."