Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
AN A FOR ATTITUDE Acting coach McBride praises Diamonds after defeat
Airdrie striker Andy Ryan reflects on defeat to Jags
Kevin McBride insists Airdrieonians are the A-team because the players have ability and the right attitude.
The Diamonds produced a creditable performance on Friday evening in their 1-0 Betfred Cup defeat to Premiership Partick Thistle.
Airdrie were set to be in action last night in the competition – on the road at Championship side Queen of the South.
McBride believes some of his players have the potential to play in the topflight.
And he believes the squad has also got the right mentality after watching them give everything against Jags.
The club’s acting head coach said: “We were 1-0 down but none of the boys gave in and we played to the last whistle.
“I don’t think they had many clearcut chances. The goal we lost was disappointing but that happens in football. The way we want to play is by building from the back.
“I’m actually more gutted for the players than anything else.
“The fans wanted us to take something from the game but the players were desperate to get something from it.
“I think we showed fight. The players are disappointed which is a good thing for me as it shows they care and want to win.
“We’re trying to find our strongest team. Our priority is to do well in the league but obviously we want to do well in the cups.”
McBride has assured fans that Airdrie are still active in the transfer market with a view to beefing up the squad.
The former Dundee and Hibernian midfielder said: “We’re still a couple of players short and we will try and get
them in before the start of the league campaign.
“The team has changed massively over the summer. I think the fans can see the quality that we’re trying to add to the squad.”
Airdrie host Stenhousemuir in the Betfred Cup on Saturday before travelling to Queen’s Park for their final group game next Tuesday night.
Qualification for the knockout stage will be a tall order and McBride is refusing to set any targets.
“We will take each game at a time,” he said. “A lot of teams will be using this as a form of pre-season.”