Two wins and season is a success

Skipper Iain’s rallying call

“We are right on the knife edge now,” admits Airdrieonians captain Iain Russell.

The Diamonds forward knows that only two wins from their final two games will be enough to guarantee a season they can call a success. Russell, who has scored 18 goals in all competitions, is desperate for his side to pick up three points at Bayview against East Fife – as well as next week against Queen’s Park – to hit their target. The 34- year- old feels the highs and lows of the season could have knocked confidence going into the final run-in but is certain they have the quality to make move back into the top four after dropping to fifth with defeat to Alloa.

He to ld Advertiser: “It is hard confident in our form this have been so inconsistent.

“We have been playing well and losing, or playing badly and winning.

“That can happen when you have a squad of young boys, but I still believe we are a very good side with enough quality to make it into the top four.

“When you look at the signings Livingston made in January, there was no way we could compete with that. They have a huge firstteam squad, the biggest budget in the division and decided to make another push with their signings. So if we are realistic our target is the play-offs to give us a chance of making it into the Championship.

“If we don’t make it into the play-off places then people can turn around and say it’s been the to be season, we a bad season. But if we make it we will have achieved our objective.

“There has been a lot of changes this season in management which doesn’t help and I don’t think anyone would deny it’s been a hard season. But it’s still in our hands, we go to East Fife knowing that we need the three points.

“If we win our next two games against our play- off rivals and can build a bit of momentum going into these one-off games, you never know what will happen.”

Russell feels that no matter what the New Broomfield men’s fate holds, there are positives to take from the campaign.

The make-up of the squad will also help Airdrie build for the future, with Russell singling out young talents like Andy Ryan, Sean McIntosh and Rohan Ferguson as a potential spine of the team for years to come.

He said: “Rohan is in a difficult position. It’s his first season at a full-time club where he is playing every week. He is in a position where if he makes a mistake it will be singled out. But he is 19 and doesn’t have an experienced back-up to take the pressure off him.

“I have said to Rohan, if you play in another position it’s easy to deflect the blame but not if you are a keeper. He’s a very good prospect.

“Yes. we have experienced players like myself, Simon Mensing, Ryan Conroy and Kyle Hutton, but the likes of Rohan, Sean and Andy will be the future of Airdrie.

“Andy’s goals have been so important and Sean has proven to be a reliable defender since getting a regular starting place. No matter what division we are in, that’s a positive we can take forward.

“There’s been a lot of pressure for them to take on in difficult circumstances but playing every week will help these guys, and help Airdrie.”