by Ryan Brown 

On the day of Ayr United ’s managerial interviews, goalkeeper Ellis Hare-Reid was full of praise for interim boss Sandy Stewart as the club look to fill a permanent post.

Owner Lachlan Cameron had a six man shortlist with the likes of former Premiership managers Jim McIntyre and Martin Canning touted for the job at Somerset Park after the departure of Ian McCall to Partick Thistle, but the 53-year-old currently at the helm, certainly has the backing of his players.

Hare-Reid, originally from Christchurch in New Zealand, has played second fiddle to number one Ross Doohan so far this campaign but was handed his first team debut in September in a penalty shout-out loss to Wrexham in the third round of the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup.

The stopper spoke highly of the temporary manager and backed him to be a success if he was given the chance.

“Preparations are going well, it’s more or less the same stuff because after the gaffer left it wasn’t as though we were failing or going down the table, we were doing really well.

“I think Sandy’s added stuff on to that like today’s training was really hard and a really good physical session with really good tempo and I think it’ll add a bit more to how we play,” he said.

Experience in the Premier League in England should help the former full back, believes the Kiwi.

He added: “He’s been with the previous manager for the last year so if anything he can just continue and do a good job and I feel like he’s done well.

“He’s worked at some very big clubs and worked in the English Premier League, managing against the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea but I suppose the Premier League is bit different to the Scottish Championship but I feel he could bring a lot to the table.”