New Ayr United Manager David Hopkin says he is targeting long term success at the club, but this season is all about retaining their place in Scottish Championship.

Prior to Hopkin's arrival former boss Mark Kerr had left the club in the relegation play-off place with just one win in ten games.

Hopkin arrives at the club with considerable Championship experience as well as promotion know-how, having been promoted out of the division in 2018 with Livingston.

Speaking to the Advertiser this afternoon, Hopkin said:“This year is about making sure we stay in the Championship; at Livingston I had been there for four and a half years, so it wasn’t as if I just walked in and got them promoted.

“There’s building blocks to put in place here, we have to have an infrastructure and to make sure we build things behind the scenes to make the club stronger.

“Once you get all those things and they all get together then you have got a great chance [of promotion] and who knows what can happen. “

Ayr United Chairman David Smith says he believes Hopkin was the perfect man for the vacant post at Somerset Park.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Smith said: “I think we had around 40 applicants for the position… we had quite a wide and varied response.

“We had people with great experience in the Championship, but none more so than Hopkin.

“It wasn’t just about that though… everything we have talked about aligns together, so I am convinced he is the right guy."