Ayr United head coach Lee Bullen says Kerr McInroy's form at Airdrie in the first half of this season convinced him to sign the Celtic midfielder.
McInroy was wanted by the Diamonds for their League One title push but left at the start of January following his loan expiry.
Despite Airdrie interest, the Celtic player signed on loan with Championship side Ayr for the rest of the season on deadline day.
He scored four goals with three assists in 13 games for Diamonds boss Ian Murray after his arrival in October.
McInroy is likely to leave Celtic permanently at the end of the season. Bullen admits there's problems in his squad which he feels his new signing from Parkhead can fix.
He told our sister site, Ayrshire Post: "The midfield has been a key area of the park we needed to address in terms of the imbalance in the squad.
"Kerr will give us real options and competition in there and he's one we've been aware of since the beginning of January.
"He's done really well at Airdrie in the first half of the season and he brings a lot of good quality - he has a hell of a left peg on him and will add a lot to our game."
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