Looking To The Future

Last updated : 27 June 2016 By ed_ScottishFitba

C:WindowsTempphp9AD4.tmpRyan Stevenson isn't the type of person to let his heart rule his head. The midfielder was faced with a couple of options during the close season; stay with Ayr United, the team he supported as a boy and had just won promotion with for a second time; or join Dumbarton, the team who, along with the Honest Men, are set to be the underdogs in the Championship. It may seem easier to stick with what you know but Stevenson had other consideration to think about looking ahead and Dumbarton won his signature
 
He said: "It was a difficult decision but when I spoke to the manager (Stephen Aitken), and knowing the kind of gaffer he is and the standards he has, he sold it to me. It's really all down to him that I'm here. I'm close to his brother and we've just kept in contact through that. But I'm not just here because of that. He's done a good job at Stranraer and with Dumbarton last season. Outside the Scottish Premiership I'd say he's the hottest young manager in Scotland. It was amazing to win promotion with Ayr. When you get promoted with the club you supported as a boy it's a great feeling, but to do it twice was phenomenal. You can go through your career without having days like that at all. It's good to see Ayr back in the league, where I think they should be, but I'm a Dumbarton player now and although it will be hard playing against them, I'll certainly give it my best. I've nothing planned outside the game, but it was a decision I knew I would have to come to at some stage. Whether you're 31 or 37, you've got to think about that decision. This was the right sort of change for me.  Now it's about having a good pre-season and the rest will take care of itself. It's going to be an exciting league with the teams in it. Every week it's going to be the sort of games you want to play in. The first week of pre-season has been great and everybody has made me welcome. I'm looking forward to it."