Jamie Murphy has been confirmed as a player/coach at Ayr United as he joins Gary Naysmith's backroom staff.
The former Rangers attacker had been overseeing first-team training at Somerset Park following the sacking of Scott Brown and Steven Whittaker towards the end of last season.
Murphy, 36, has been with the Honest Men since 2023 as a player but has now moved into new boss Naysmith's dugout having had the opportunity to sit down with the ex-Stenhousemuir manager.
Naysmith explained his decision to promote Murphy to his new dual role as he insists the veteran winger commands respect both on the pitch and in the dressing room.
Jamie Murphy officially joins backroom staff and Ayr United welcome James McFarlane as Match-Day Analyst. 🔗 https://t.co/ZTO22k4c86#WeAreUnited pic.twitter.com/u0VqyKVmlw
— Ayr United (@AyrUnitedFC) May 25, 2026
"Everyone who I spoke to about Jamie said the same thing about him as an individual and it’s clear he is very well respected, both on and off the park, at the club," Naysmith said.
"It was one of my first decisions to promote him to Player/First Team Coach and Brown and I are looking forward to working with him."
Ayr confirmed the news with a statement earlier this evening as they also revealed they have snapped up one of Naysmith's former staffers at Stenny.
"We also welcome James McFarlane to Ayr United, who joins from Stenhousemuir as Match-Day Analyst to provide support to Gary Naysmith and Brown Ferguson.
"‘Jammy’ was a core part of Gary’s staff at Stenny, assisting with live analysis in the dugout and his role will work alongside Jamie Watt who remains at the club as Performance Analyst."
Naysmith himself added further: "Jammy has been with me since East Fife and it was important for me to have him join Ayr United. He will only be at the club on match-days and will be with us on the bench which means he can give us information in real time.
"Jammy will also work with Jamie Watt and it will be good to have lots of information on our performances which will help Brown and I to make decisions on any changes required that we can implement in training."
