Celtic is back in action on Friday 5th July in the first pre-season friendly of the summer down at Somerset Park. The Hoops will take on Scott Brown’s Ayr United as the Championship side officially open their new north stand…
Celtic were initially allocated 3000 tickets by Ayr and these were snapped up almost immediately. And that led to the Ayr United Managing Director, after looking at the uptake from his own supporters, releasing a video to his support explaining that an additional 3000 tickets would be allocated to the Scottish Champions to ensure that a capacity crowd is reached and also to provide Scott Brown with additional funds as the former Celtic captain targets promotion to the Scottish Premiership next season.
Watch the statement from Managing Director, Graeme Mathie regarding the decision on the allocation of the Somerset Road End and remaining section of the North Stand and North Terracing.
Well the Celtic support has certainly done our bit to assist Broony in his endeavours to strengthen his squad with around £50,000 extra now available – and according to the Ayr board member – that’s enough to bring in an additional experienced player in the transfer window. That’s because all the Celtic allocation of 6000 tickets have now sold out!
Hopefully Broony will also have some joy in speaking to Brendan Rodgers about sending a few of the Celtic B team Bhoys down to Somerset Park to gain valuable first team experience at a decent level.
Broony has certainly been busy, already agreeing deals to bring in FIVE new players for next season , the latest being the 21-year-old Romanian midfielder Marco Rus, who has agreed a two-year deal with the ambitious Championship outfit, with Broony being a big factor in him choosing to sign for Ayr.
Marco Rus has completed a permanent transfer to @AyrUnitedFC.
Good luck in your new chapter, Marco. 👊 #PUSB
— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) June 15, 2024
The former Coventry player told Ayrshire Post: “There was interest from the club in January which didn’t work out back then, but I’m delighted to have got things done now. If you speak to any player, having that knowledge that a club really wants you is a big factor and gave me that confidence in making the move this summer.
“Listening to the manager speak, his ambition is obvious and where he wants to take the club is really exciting. He’s a huge name in the game and he’s already putting together a really strong squad, which I’m thrilled to be part of.
“I’ve already experienced a fair bit but felt it was important to challenge myself with my next move. I had a couple of options to stay down south or abroad but I felt I needed something a bit different and when I spoke to the manager he made me feel really wanted.
“It’s important for my career to have a permanent home where I can develop as a player and the next two years gives me that stability. The league is going to be really tight this year with no clear favourite and with the club ambitious to progress, it feels like a really good time to be coming here.”
🎟 Our allocation for the pre-season friendly against @AyrUnitedFC is now sold out!
Thank you for your support and see you on 5th July, Celts 🍀 https://t.co/2PKuCR7zq4 pic.twitter.com/zIJNVUDIvS
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) June 14, 2024