AYR United have now named their new manager.

The club confirmed today, Tuesday January 23, that Celtic legend Scott Brown would be taking on the role.

He will be assisted by former Hibernian teammate Steven Whittaker after the pair were appointed shortly before kick off in tonight’s match versus Arbroath.

Brown comes into the dugout at Somerset Park after the club parted ways with Lee Bullen earlier this month.

Bullen left Ayrshire after a run of one win in 11 matches following a two-year spell with the club.

Former Celtic captain Brown will now come into the role, most likely taking charge of the club for the first time on Saturday, January 27, when Ayr face Queen's Park at Hampden after signing a two-and-a-half deal with Ayr.

His third game in charge could prove to be a mouth-watering affair, as Ayr head to Ibrox to face Rangers in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup on the weekend of February 10.

The 55-time Scotland cap is stepping back into the dugout after a spell in charge of English League One side Fleetwood Town.

The role was Brown's first in management having previously stepped into coaching when he left Celtic to take up a player-coach role at Aberdeen in 2021.

After leaving the Granite City in March 2022, he then took over the managerial reigns at Fleetwood in May of that year - the same month he called time on his playing career.

The former Hibs youngster led The Fishermen to the FA Cup fourth round for the first time in their history as well as a respectable 13th place finish in League One during his first season in charge.

However, he was dismissed from the role in September of last year following a poor run of form to start the current league campaign.

After announcing his appointment, Ayr United chairman David Smith said he was delighted the club could secure their “preferred candidates”.

He said: “I am delighted to welcome Scott and Steven as the new management team. We have had a busy 8 days conducting informal conversations and more formal interviews with a number of very credible candidates and Scott and Steven showed lots of positive attributes that made them the preferred candidates for the club.

“They are clear in the messages they want to communicate to the players and will use the staff group that we have assembled to the fullest in order to improve players and achieve performances and results on the pitch.They have a very good personal and working relationship and were very clear on how their dynamic works.

“We are delighted to secure their services and are very much looking forward to working with them going forward”

Managing Director, Graeme Mathie added: “I’m really looking forward to working with Scott and Steven.

“Following their successful playing careers, both have undertaken coaching roles alongside gaining their coaching qualifications; Scott at Aberdeen before joining Fleetwood as Head Coach and Steven at Dunfermline in the Scottish Championship.

“Having both played at the very highest level they are both aware of the standards required to be successful, and - whilst we won’t be able to provide the luxury of some of the resources they’ve enjoyed previously - they have shown an ability to adapt to the environments they have been working in when required.

“This is an exciting appointment for Ayr United and I have no doubt will be remembered as an exciting period of time on our journey.”

Brown takes over at Somerset Park with Ayr currently sitting in ninth place - the relegation play-off spot - in the Scottish Championship.

They are currently two points ahead of bottom side Arbroath in the automatic relegation position - though in a tightly packed league remain only seven points behind Airdrieonians in the final promotion play-off position.