Lawrence Shankland admits he will "always owe" Ian McCall for rescuing his career from the scrapheap.
The Dundee United hotshot spent two and half goal-laden seasons under Ayr's former manager at Somerset Park.
And he's revealed how the wily McCall gave him back belief in his own ability just as his star seemed to be on the wane.
Speaking to the What The Falk Podcast, Shankland said: "For the rest of my career, I will always owe him (McCall) for what he did for me.
"It wasn't just about football - we got really close outside of that and he was close to all the boys.
"He made me feel like a really good player again."
Shankland joined Ayr in 2017 after his bid to crack the big time with Aberdeen had ended in disappointment.
Loan spells at Dunfermline, Morton and St Mirren had failed to ignite his career and he came to Ayr with everything to prove.
Shankland, now a Scotland cap and one of the country's hottest properties, said: "When you have a manager who shows faith in you, that's what you need.
"He just let me go and play again...told me to go and enjoy myself.
"He knew I had the ability and if he could get the best out of me I would do well for him."
Reflecting on why he chose to stay with Ayr for a season in the Championship when many fans feared he would leave for a better offer, Shankland revealed: "The manager told me not to feel like I owed him or the club.
"But that made me want to sign for him even more.
"And I'm really glad I stayed around."
