ELATED Ayr United boss Ian McCall could hardly keep the smile off his face on Tuesday as prolific striker Lawrence Shankland signed on for next season.
And he was joined by club captain Ross Docherty, Craig McGuffie and Alan Forrest.
Twenty-nine goal Shankland was the one the fans were desperate to hold on to.
McCall told Ayr United Media: "I had a meeting with Laurence and his dad, he is loved by the club and our supporters, as much as any player I have had at any club. He owes me or the club nothing. He went away and thought about it. It's a good piece of business, there's no way that boy won't score goals, he has been absolutely outstanding and a good player to watch."
Added the player: "When we won the league I found out Ayr wanted to offer me a new contract, I was tempted to stay. I enjoyed last season so much and that made the decision a bit easier. I met up with the gaffer and I'm delighted to be back. There was interest from other Scottish Championship teams but that's where I'm going to be playing, I don't see why I should to go to another club. We had good team spirit, we thought we had lost the league but we won the title on the last day. The Championship will be a tougher with Dundee United and Inverness Caley Thistle, who were premier teams not long ago. A lot of the boys have been in the Championship and they know what's required. I scored a lot of goals and will be looking to take that confidence into next season. I will be looking to score as many goals as I can."
Of Forrest and McGuffie, McCall said: "I spoke to both players and if it was down to natural talent their careers were going to be  huge. But you need other things in terms of mental strength which I think they both have, particularly Alan and they are very young players. They can add strength and pace, they have to find consistency. they know that but they are young boys, even although Alan has been here a number of years. I wish the fans could see them in training. The world could be their oyster but they have to be more consistent. I really enjoy watching them training and playing. 
"The best individual performance I saw all season was from Alan Forrest at Forfar."
The gaffer is encouraged Docherty has re-signed but is under contract until January to allow him to prove his fitness after undergoing an operation last year.
He said: "We have all forgotten what a good player Ross Docherty is. He has had a real tough time and the operation he had cost an awful lot of money but according to the specialist and our physio, he will make a full recovery, we hope to have him back for the end of July for full training and available to play. He just has to prove his fitness, he doesn't need to prove what a good player he is. The thought of playing Mark Kerr and Docherty is mouthwatering for me. Ross is pleased the club has stuck by him although we have a bit to go. He is player who is very highly thought of in the dressing room."