Ayr United striker Mark McKenzie happy to be Mr Versatile for boss Scott Brown

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Mark McKenzie insists he’s happy to be Ayr United's Mr Versatile and play anywhere that Scott Brown wants him.

The striker was asked to turn out at wing back on Saturday as Ayr went for a change of shape.

McKenzie proved his worth by bagging a vital goal as United got back to winning ways. But he says the new role didn’t faze him - as he’s already turned out in most positions during his decade at the club.

He smiled: “I think I’ve played in most places bar goalkeeper. To be honest, I just enjoy playing and wherever that may be, I’m happy to do so.

“I wasn’t familiar to the position on Saturday so I needed to have the guys talk me through it.

“I suppose being versatile can go two ways. It means you sometimes don’t get the chance to get comfortable in a position or get a run of games there.

“But wherever the gaffer wants me to play, I’m happy to go in and implement what he asks of me.”

Ayr bounced back following a shocker at East Kilbride in the Trust Trophy last midweek. United’s players were booed off after the defeat at K-Park but responded with a good display against the Spiders.

And McKenzie said: “We had a few things to put right after the East Kilbride game. Getting the first goal is massive in this league and it galvanised us to go on and get a second and third.

“We were really annoyed to concede the couple of late goals. As a team we’ve been working hard and we were determined to turn this wee run of results around.

“The feel-good factor that a win brings is massive and hopefully that can become a bit of a habit for us again.”

Meanwhile, Ayr have been put on alert for the potential January recall of winger Jay Henderson to parent club Ross County. Staggies boss Don Cowie's head has been turned by the form which has seen Henderson bag eight goals this season.

Cowie told the Press & Journal: "You get a lot of footage and Ayr have been live quite a few times as well. Jay had a really frustrating year last year and came to us on the back of a really good loan spell at Inverness.

“He got used to playing every week and when he came here he didn’t get that. I felt in the summer, as he did, it was important for him to get back to enjoying football and playing every week.

"That’s exactly what he is doing at a top team in the Championship. He is having a massive impact there and I see he is now taking the penalties, which shows how much he is growing in influence there.

“I’m delighted to see that and long may it continue.”

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