Youth hotshot Lucas McRoberts has told how he’s laser focused on pursuing his dream of starring for Ayr United.
The 17-year-old striker is the latest talent to emerge from the Somerset Academy, this week landing his first professional contract. The powerful frontman has quickly caught the eye of new boss Scott Brown in training and been tied down to a deal until the summer of 2026.
McRoberts, a former Prestwick Academy pupil who began his football journey with the town’s Caledonian Youth Club, has been in Ayr’s system since 2017 and is gaining a growing reputation for his goal threat with United’s successful under 18s side. Now he hopes to take the next step by making his presence felt in and around the first team picture in years to come.
He told the Ayrshire Post: “The last year or so has been a fantastic experience with getting my chance to be around the first team. I initially got my chance to train with the squad under Lee Bullen and things have stepped up even more lately with Scott Brown coming in.
McRoberts added: “I’ve always known I wanted to be a footballer. I was at college for a wee bit doing aeronautical engineering but couldn’t always make the course due to training or reserve games, which I don’t think they liked, but I never had a doubt that this was what I wanted to do. I even ended up working in Morrisons for the last year and couldn’t wait to hand in my notice the other night when I knew I had this deal!
“The Academy here is really good for developing players and you see that with the number of boys that are getting contracts. If you work hard enough you will definitely get your chance.”
Mum Lyndsay said: “This has been Lucas’ dream for a long time and he’s worked hard since he joined the club at the age of 10. He’s disciplined and focused on what he wants to do with his football and has learned a lot under his coaches all the way through the system here. It’s a great club to be at in terms of his development and he very much feels part of things here – it’s a great environment.”
United managing director, Graeme Mathie, added: “Lucas is the latest in a long line of players who’ve made that step from the Academy to coming in with the first team. His challenge now is to continue that pathway in terms of how he progresses towards playing those first team games.
“It’s full credit to all of the youth coaches at the Academy for developing the many players like Lucas who have come through the system and been given this chance to go and succeed in the game. He’s at a club which really values developing young players – we’re looking at breaking the ceiling in that regard. A name like Alan Forrest stands out…he’s now playing at Hearts and in Europe and our challenge is to say – can we go beyond that? Lucas and our other talented youngsters now have the chance to go and beat that benchmark.”
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