Scott Brown says Ayr United have '100 per cent' progressed under his stewardship despite being eliminated from the Scottish Premiership play-offs last night.
Although his team led Partick Thistle by a goal to nil on aggregate going into the quarter-final second leg at Somerset Park, Brown's men faltered and, thanks to a Brian Graham brace, lost 2-0 on the night and 2-1 overall in the tie.
"I'm devastated," said Brown post-match [Ayr United].
"The lads are devastated as well.
Read more:
-
Chris Sutton makes 'box office' prediction about Celtic's summer transfer window
-
Dunfermline release statement on Neil Lennon's future ahead of 2025/26 season
"There wasn't a lot in the game.
"The second goal is not great. It's five versus two in the box, and they get three contacts.
"Brian Graham is 37 years old. He's scored three goals against us. He's played two 90 minutes. It shows you he's maybe thinking it's his last opportunity. He maybe wanted it more than our lads.
"We can shout, you can scream from the sidelines... We are a young team, we are, but still, you've got to be able to see out games."
Brown took charge of Ayr during the 2023/24 campaign, steering them to safety in the second tier.
The current term was his first full season at the helm. The 39-year-old was asked directly whether he thinks Ayr have progressed in 2024/25 under his watch: "100 per cent," he said.
"We were nice and safe early doors, sat in third opposition, we were at one point high up in the league, competing against Falkirk and Livi.
"It's been a great season for the lads. It doesn't seem like it now, we're all hurting, the lads are hurting in the dressing room. We had a good, honest chat."
