SCOTLAND Under-21 goalkeeper Ross Doohan is aiming to hold down the number one jersey and help Ayr United become established in the Ladbrokes Championship

The 20-year-old shot stopper joined on loan from Celtic last Thursday an made his debut in Saturday's 3-1 home win against Morton in the Betfred Cup opener.

He is relishing the challenge and said: "I am looking to play well and in as many games as I can to help the team out. Hopefully I won't have too much to do as the defence has been solid. I want to keep the number one spot in the team.

"Since I have come the players have been very welcoming. The performance was very good, even in the first half when we created better chances and did well in the second half.

"It was a good way to start the season. I have only been here a couple of days but the equipment is good and the standard of training. The gaffer has been welcoming.

He was disappointed to lose a goal and added: "I was a bit unsighted for the goal and the ball went under the wall but I bounced back."

Asked his hopes, Doohan, who hails from Clydebank, said: "I am hoping we have the best possible finish we can, keep going and trying to win every week. Hopefully we can qualify in the league. I have been at Celtic for six years. Hopefully I can play at lot of games and we can make the knockout stages of the cup."

Meanwhile hat-trick hero Lawrence Shankland dedicated his goals in memory of a close friend.

He said: "My mate Chris Murray died a year ago last Friday and those goals were for him."

The striker was delighted with his performance and said: "That's my second hat-trick, I got one against Queen's Park and it's good it was against my old club. I didn't set a goals target last season and won't be doing again this season."

Manager Ian McCall was encouraged and said: "The team looked very fit and long may that continue. I am pleased for everyone. It's a start but it's just one game. We face Albion Rovers away on Saturday and will be taking nothing for granted. We will keep rotating the squad in the run-up to our first league game against Partick Thistle but it would be nice if we could qualify from the group."

The boss is hoping to make one further addition to his squad.

He said: "We want to bring a defender but there's plenty of time as the transfer window is open until the end of August."