Former Rangers defender Maurice Ross is in the frame for the vacant Ayr Utd job.

Mark Kerr departed Somerset Park this week with the Honest Men sitting ninth in the Scottish Championship. His exit coincides with a dreadful run of form where they have won just once from their last 10 league matches.

David White and Derek Stillie will take temporary charge until the club finds Kerr's permanent successor but chairman David Smith, Herald and Times Sport understands, has sounded out Ross after he left Motherwell as Stephen Robinson's former assistant and first-team coach last month.

Ross left the Steel Men to pursue new opportunities and it is believed a start in management as his own man would be of serious interest. He spent two years at Fir Park, having originally joined as head of their 18s to 21s department, before taking up a role with the senior squad.

It is understood Airdrie boss Ian Murray is also on the shortlist as a potential replacement for Kerr.

His Airdrie side sit fourth in League One but his current deal runs out this summer, when a new permanent Ayr boss could be paraded.