Keenan Is Hopeful

Last updated : 20 March 2008 By honestman
Dean Keenan, is due to leave Ayr this weekend after loan spell from Morton but wants to leave on a high.

The hit midfielder's 93 day emergency loan from Morton expires this weekend when he will return to Cappielow, but he hopes to be at Somerset Park again next season.

Talks between the clubs have already taken place about making Dean's move permanent in the summer and Keenan admits the idea appeals.

He said: "Being here already and playing games helps the cause. It gives me reasons to come here as I know the place and the fans.

"I have enjoyed my loan stint and it has been good to come here and play regularly which I wasn't doing at Morton.

"I think my time there could be over so I'll be a free agent in the summer.

"The manager has already spoken to me and said he wants me next season but I am in no rush. I will sit down at the end of the season and assess what options I've got and see what happens.

"However, I have definitely enjoyed playing at Somerset Park where the fans are great. And it has been good playing alongside the likes of Ryan Stevenson and Paul Weaver. We've won the majority of games since I've been here so I have been quite happy."

Keenan played against Airdrie United last night (Wednesday) and will make his farewell appearance in Saturday's crunch home match against Cowdenbeath.

Keenan said: "We've got to keep fighting and taking three points off the league leaders over two games isn't bad. Now we have two massive games and ideally would like to win them both. However, if I could pick one of them it would be against Cowdenbeath so we can hopefully kill them off."

Ayr manager Brian Reid confirmed he is desperate to make Keenan his first summer capture and revealed he had exhausted all avenues to extend the loan deal.

Good news for Ayr is that Andy McLaren, who damaged his cruciate ligament in August, joined in with the players at training on Monday.

Reid said: "Andy looked fine and still had a good touch but he is still a good few weeks away from a return. I don't want to rush him back too soon."

Further good news is that Iain Anderson has recovered from a rib injury but hurt his knee in his 18 minute appearance at Dingwall last week. He missed last nights win at Airdrie and will be out for Cowdenbeaths visit to Ayr on Saturday.

Reid said: "We face two huge games and neither will be easy."