Ayr Utd have signed goalkeeper Harry Stone on loan from Hearts, with the 12-month deal set to run until the end of the season. Stone had a tough time during his initial spell with the Honest Men, but is looking to redeem himself under new gaffer Gary Naysmith. The giant Hearts keeper is back on loan - 12 months after being smuggled out of a Somerset side exit. Stone endured a tough time during his original spell with the Honest Men, failing to nail down the keeper's jersey under Scott Brown. But new United gaffer Gary Naysmith has swooped to bring the Tynecastle youth product back for another crack. Stone told the Ayrshire Post: "My original time here was a weird dynamic. "I did actually enjoy it but I guess you could say I always felt under a lot of scrutiny and it was hard to focus on my football. "I felt there was a massive cloud hanging over me whenever I was playing or training. "Everyone I spoke to always said I was doing well and whenever I went back to Hearts, they had watched my games and stats and were very positive. "I'd even bump into Ayr fans in the supermarket and they'd be hugely encouraging...so it was a strange one to deal with. The situation just was what it was." Stone recorded eight clean sheets in 13 games as Ayr hit the peak of their powers during season 24/25. But he would lose his place again after high profile slips in the February title crunch at Falkirk, which eventually ended 2-2. Stone would play just three more times that season before returning to Hearts, and spent part of last season on loan at relegated Airdrie. He revealed: "The decision to come back here was a pretty easy one if I'm honest. "I liked everything that Gary Naysmith had to say around the culture he wants to build and the ambitions that he has for the season. "There is some scarring from two years ago but it's obvious the club has changed. I feel I'm coming back here with a freedom and I'm ready to go. "Yes there were games during my original spell where I could have done better, but on the whole I feel I performed well. "I've got over 100 senior appearances under my belt and I'm coming back here a different goalie. "I know Timmo the goalie coach really well and we had a very good relationship when I was here the first time, so I can't wait to work with him again. "I still feel like it was a good season for me here as a player and a person - it made me more headstrong and determined to succeed and I'm delighted to be back."