Celtic hero Scott Brown is the "favourite" for the Ayr United job.

This is according to McBookie who claim that the former Scotland international is in contention for the position after a surge in betting led to the 38-year-old dropping down to 4/6 from 3/1.

Lee Mullen was sacked from his role in charge of the Somerset Park side after a poor run of results which has left them second bottom of the Scottish Championship.

Brown has been out of work since being relieved of his duties at English League One side Fleetwood Town in September.

And he is being tipped for the Ayr job ahead of of Charlie Mulgrew, Gary Bowyer, Darren Young and others.

READ MORE: Why Celtic selling Matt O'Riley this month is UNTHINKABLE

Meanwhile, former Celtic head of sports science Anton McElhone has joined Queen's Park as their new head of academy.

The 42-year-old joined the Scottish champions in the summer of 2021 under then boss Ange Postecoglou and departed the club in June last year.

McElhone has also had spells at Tottenham, Bradford and Morton in a variety of different roles.

Queen's Park president Graeme Shields said:  "We welcome Anton back to the club and we know that his wealth of experience and knowledge will be a great asset in assisting us achieve our goal of producing more young players capable of playing regularly for our first team.

Tommy McIntyre, the club's head of academy added : “I am delighted to bring Anton into our academy as soon as I knew I was taking on the role of academy director.

"I am delighted that he has agreed to do that as bringing him on board is a bit of a coup for Queen’s Park.

“He has vast experience in the philosophy, methodology, periodisation and player development processes having worked with some of the best players in the world including Harry Kane at an under-15 level.

“Anton has also worked on development with some of the best managers and coaches in the world such as including John Collins, Andre Villas Boas, Mauricio Pochettino, Brad Friedel and Ange Postecoglou as well as the renowned John McDermott, who was his academy director at Tottenham Hotspur before becoming FA technical director and Alex Inglethorpe who is the Liverpool FC academy director."

“He will add a lot of value to The Queen’s Park academy.”