Teenage glamour Lucas McRoberts has stated that he is totally committed to realising his goal of being Ayr United’s star player.
This Monday, the 17-year-old striker signed his first professional deal, making him the most recent prodigy to come out of the Somerset Academy. During training, the strong frontman immediately attracted the attention of new manager Scott Brown, and he signed a contract that would last until the summer of 2026.
McRoberts, a former student at Prestwick Academy who started his football career with the Caledonian Youth Club in the town, has been a part of Ayr’s system since 2017. With United’s successful under-18s squad, he is becoming more and more known for his goal threat. He now intends to advance by becoming noticeable in and around the first team photo in the years to come.
“The last year or so has been a fantastic experience with getting my chance to be around the first team,” he told the Ayrshire Post. When I first had the opportunity to train with the team, it was under Lee Bullen, and since Scott Brown joined, things have gotten even better.
Training under the new gaffer has incredibly high intensity, which I really appreciate. Since he arrived, I’ve had a chance to talk to him quite a bit, and he’s been really helpful in providing me with advice. I really want to seize this contract right now since it’s a fantastic opportunity for me.
“I’ve always known I wanted to be a footballer,” McRoberts continued. I studied aeronautical engineering for a short while at college, but I never doubted that this was what I wanted to do. However, I couldn’t always make the course due to training or reserve games, which I don’t believe they enjoyed. Even so, I spent the last year working at Morrisons, and when I found out I had this opportunity, I was eager to give my notice.
The quantity of lads signing contracts is evidence that this academy is doing a great job of developing athletes. You will undoubtedly get your chance if you put in enough effort.
Lucas’s mother Lyndsay stated: “He’s worked hard since he joined the club at the age of ten. This has been his dream for a long time.” He has learned a lot from his coaches throughout this system and is disciplined and goal-oriented with regards to his football career. He feels very much a part of things here, and it’s a terrific club for him to grow in. This is a great environment.
Graeme Mathie, managing director of United, continued, “Lucas is the most recent player to make the transition from the Academy to playing for the first team. His current task is to keep going in that direction as he gets closer to participating in those first team games.
Lucas is just one of the many youngsters who have come through the system and been given the opportunity to go on and thrive in the game. All of the younger coaches at the Academy deserve great respect for developing these guys. His current club places a high emphasis on helping up-and-coming players, so we’re hoping to push the envelope there. A name like Alan Forrest is distinctive; he is currently performing in Europe and at Hearts, and our task is to determine whether we can do more. Now, Lucas and our other gifted children have the opportunity to surpass that standard.
