Championship winner Scott McMann says ambitious Ayr United are ready to make presence felt as left back makes Somerset switch

Title winner Scott McMann insists ambitious Ayr United are ready to put the Championship on notice this season.

The left back has become the latest convert to Scott Brown's Somerset revolution after agreeing a two-year-deal following his release from Dundee United. McMann missed just one game on Tayside last term and was named in the PFA Team of the Year as the Arabs clinched the Championship crown.

The 27-year-old's release from Tannadice raised plenty of eyebrows, with many expecting him to take the step up to the Premiership in his stride. Brown has moved quickly to secure one of the most sought after signatures of the summer, adding much needed experience to Ayr's side.

McMann told the Ayrshire Post: "I had a couple of options but after one conversation with the gaffer, it was clear this is a club going places. I'm excited to come and be part of that. It's a real project the club has going on.

"Being released by Dundee United was a bit of a surprise on a personal level but that’s football - you just need to dust yourself down and get on with the next opportunity. You can’t be guaranteed of anything in this game. I played 42 of the 43 games there last season, so yeah, there was a bit of disappointment in their decision.

"But that's the nature of football and it's important I don't dwell on that. It’s about kicking on and thankfully I have a chance to come in here and be part of something really exciting. The appointment of the manager has obviously been a big statement of intent from the club. And you can see with the boys he’s bringing in that there’s real ambition here.

"I had a couple of things to weigh up this summer but the project here attracted me and I know big George (Oakley) well. When I spoke to him it was evident things were going in the right direction at the club and I really wanted to get involved with that."

McMann joins Oakley, Anton Dowds, Harry Stone, Jay Henderson and Marco Rus in committing to Ayr, who have done their business early. Brown is also close to completing a deal for another wide man as United look to bolster their ranks ahead of the coming campaign. And McMann admits the call from a name like Brown proved hard to resist.

He added: "The manager’s career speaks for itself - he’s a major name both in this country and internationally. So the chance to come and work for him is big for any player and the first conversation I had with him was so positive. It made my decision quite easy in the end.

"The league is anyone’s this year so why can’t it be ours? It’s there for anyone to go and grab and I know from last season what it takes to do that, so hopefully we can be up there challenging."

United have also announced the departure of skipper Sean McGinty after three years at the club. The centre half, who had a year left on his Somerset deal, came to a mutual agreement to leave and has joined Championship new boys Hamilton. He said: "It's been an honour to lead the team as captain and I wish everyone connected to the club all the best going forward."