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McBride: There is more to come Diamonds chief backs players to improve
Kevin McBride insists his Airdrieonians young guns can get even better.
The Diamonds head coach was delighted with Saturday’s 3-1 win at Queen’s Park.
Airdrie emerged from Hampden with three points from their opening match in Ladbrokes League One – although the performance wasn’t vintage.
However, McBride believes there is more to come from his group who begin their home campaign this weekend with a visit from fellow full-timers Livingston.
He said: “We played some nice stuff but we make it difficult for ourselves by overplaying at certain times when we should be trying to see the game out.
“I think we have one of the youngest squads in the league and game management is something you get with more experience.
“We have a young side and we’re looking for the experienced players to get the message across on the pitch in terms of being able to see the game out.
“But it shows the fight the boys have that when we were under the cosh [at 2-1] that we went up the park and scored another goal.”
McBride was full of praise for several of his stars.
Keeper Rohan Ferguson, Dutch striker Kevin Schmidt and trialist midfielder Jack Leitch all impressed at the National Stadium.
McBride said: “I’m not surprised with the saves Rohan made.
“He is a top-class goalkeeper, he is young and still learning. He also has a great coach with him in Andy Goram.
“He has a great future ahead of him in the game.
“Kevin is a great player. He is a nightmare for defenders and is always playing on the shoulder.
“He doesn’t give them a minute and with his size he is good in the air. The goals will come for him.
“Jack did very well. I’ve played against him and I thought he came in and looked very confident and solid as I expected him to.”
McBride won’t be sidetracked by opening-day wins for title rivals Alloa Athletic and Livi.
“We can only take care of ourselves,” he acknowledged. “The main thing for us was looking at the league table and seeing we had three points on the board.
“This was a difficult game and we have another difficult game against Livingston.”
The weekend win was McBride’s first in the league as a gaffer but he is not interested in personal accolades.
He said: “The most important thing for me is the the team. As long as they go out and do it for the fans, I’ll be happy.”