Celtic midfielder Kerr McInroy will always be thankful for Airdrie - but stepping up to the Championship with Ayr United is something he couldn't turn down.
The 21-year-old has joined the Honest Men on a loan deal from Celtic Park until the end of the season.
Airdrie boss Ian Murray snapped him up until January in October and McInroy quickly became a key man with four goals and three assists from midfield in 13 games.
A transfer saga rolled on until deadline day, when McInroy sealed his move to Ayr. After a month out of action, he's happy to get things sorted.
Ayr's Celtic loanee said: "It's been a few weeks of a few different things going back and forward. I am happy just to get myself back out playing. That is the main thing.
"I have just been back at Celtic trying to keep myself fit until I knew where it was I was going to be. It's been a frustrating period not knowing what I am doing.
"I am glad that things are sorted now and I can finally get back to playing. I've knew for a few weeks about Ayr and we have kept in touch over the last couple of weeks.
"I have liked the way they have been speaking to me. I am desperate to get back on the pitch. I don't want to wait too long. Then I am stuck and rusty by the time I'm back."
Murray made no secret of wanting McInroy back in his plans for his promotion push from League One. It's something the midfielder considered after a fruitful spell in North Lanarkshire.
His heels were dragging though as time rumbled on: "Ayr were really keen to get me in. It's me that's been the problem more than anything! But they are delighted to get me in and we can get going.
"I kept in touch with Ian Murray and I loved my time at Airdrie. I can't thank them enough for the way they treated me first and foremost. It's football I enjoyed.
"We played really well and I hit good form myself. I can't thank them enough for the opportunity they gave me to get playing. I loved every bit. I did do quite well and got good goals and assists.
"They were keen to get me back but I think it's a good challenge for me to come up a division and challenge myself. I will play against better teams so we will see how it goes."
With less than six months on his Hoops deal, McInroy has said previously he doesn't see a long-term future for himself in Glasgow.
No future plans beyond the summer are in place, and it's pushed McInroy on this term: "This is just a loan until the end of the season. I am going to be in the same predicament in a few months but I enjoyed that pressure.
"I had to perform at Airdrie and I will need to do the same at Ayr to see how things go."
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