Ryan Stevenson rejoins Ayr United

Ryan Stevenson has not started for Partick Thistle since September. Picture: SNS

The former Hearts midfielder has rejoined his hometown club on an emergency 28-day loan.

Stevenson, 31, has stuggled for game time at Thistle this season and has not started a match since mid-September.

Ayr are battling for promotion from League 1 and manager Ian McCall told the club’s website: “Ryan wouldn’t have dropped down leagues for any other club. Sometimes you hear of a player who supports this club or that club however he genuinely loves Ayr United.

“That wasn’t the reason I signed him, though. Ryan is not at the tail end of his career and I have watched him many times this season and it’s for his ability as a footballer that I have got him here. We have a small squad here and Ryan can play in many different positions across midfield and up front.

“One thing I think we have done really well is give our supporters players that they can relate to and this is another one. We have him on a 28 day loan and are very hopeful of enticing him to stay for longer.”

Stevonson said: “There really is nobody else I want to play for. I have always wanted to come back and I knew I would at some point it was just a question of when.

“It’s no secret how much this club means to me and I just want to get out there and help us catch Dunfermline.”

Stevenson goes straight into the squad for Saturday’s match against Brechin at Somerset Park.