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Arsenal defender Alex Kirk suffered an ankle ligament strain back in March that initially seemed to rule him out for the remainder of the season, prompting him to return to Arsenal for further treatment. However, according to recent reports, Kirk is set to return to Ayr United for their promotion play-off run this month.
Kirk expressed his disappointment at ending his campaign early, stating that he wanted to be a part of the promotion push and give it his all in the final few games. Nevertheless, it appears that the defender will now have the opportunity to do just that.
Ayr United concluded their league campaign with a win last Friday, securing their spot in the promotion play-offs. The Daily Record has reported that Kirk is now returning to join back up with the squad after completing his rehabilitation last week.
Kirk has made 24 appearances for Ayr United this season, despite a couple of injury absences. He had a good reputation with journalists and fans who follow the club before his latest lay-off. The defender has expressed his eagerness to be involved in whatever capacity he can, even if he may not be coming straight back up into the starting XI.
For those less familiar with the Scottish league system, the play-offs work a bit differently than those in the English Football League. The teams finishing third and fourth in the Championship face off first in a two-legged quarter-final. The winner of that tie plays a two-legged semi-final against the team that finished second in the league.
The winner of that tie then plays another two-legged tie against the team that finished 11th (second from bottom) in the Scottish Premiership. As it stands, that would be Kilmarnock, but there are still a few matches left to play.
The winner of that tie gets to play in the Scottish Premiership next season, while the loser plays in the Championship. The Premiership’s bottom club is simply relegated automatically, with the Championship’s top club promoted automatically.
What does that mean for Ayr United and Kirk? Ayr United finished second, so they’ll play a two-legged tie against the winner of third versus fourth. If they win, they’ll face the 11th-place Premiership team for the chance to achieve promotion.
The play-off semi-final takes place on May 19th and May 26th, with Ayr United playing away first. The quarter-final takes place on May 9th and May 12th between Partick Thistle and Queen’s Park.
Kirk’s return to the squad could prove crucial in Ayr United’s push for promotion. Having made a significant impact in his appearances so far this season, he will undoubtedly be eager to make his mark in these crucial games. With his injury concerns now behind him, Kirk can focus on contributing to his team’s success on the pitch.
Overall, this news will undoubtedly please Ayr United fans, who will be eagerly anticipating their club’s promotion push. Kirk’s return adds another layer of excitement and could prove to be a vital boost for the team.
The play-offs are always tense and thrilling, and it will be fascinating to see how Ayr United perform with Kirk back in the fold.
