Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Keeper Kyle’s a big helping hand
Coach admits selection dilemma after win
Airdrieonians........ 2 Stranraer .............. 0
Mark Pirie Stephen Findlay admits he will have a selection dilemma on his hands after Airdrie kept their first clean sheet since August in the win over Stranrar.
Two goals from skipper Ryan Conroy sealed the win over the Blues but it was the strength at the back that put a smile on first team coach Findlay’s face.
Kyle Gourlay, who is on loan from Dundee, has impressed between the sticks in the absence of injured Rohan Ferguson. First choice Ferguson signed for Motherwell in the summer before returning as a loanee.
Findlay feels the New Broomfield management team will have a tough job picking between the two stoppers once Ferguson returns.
He told the Advertiser: “Throughout the team we have been defending much better, so it was great for is to keep the clean sheet.
“With Rohan and Kyle I honestly believe we have the two brightest young keepers in the Scottish game today.
“We are fortunate to have two really talented players to choose from and it will give us something to think about once Rohan is back.”
He continued: “I have been hugely impressed with Kyle.
“I watched him play at Clyde last season and I thought to myself if I got back into the game I would love to have him.
“He brings a calming presence to the defence. He could play at a really high level.”
A bursting run from Airdrie loanee Luke Watt down the right hand side allowed him to slip the ball to Conroy who provided a neat finish in 61 minutes.
Stranraer appeared to buckle under the pressure at New Broomfield and gave Conroy space on the edge of the box to stroke home an inch-perfect shot to double the lead.
Findlay felt his men deserved their first win in five games. He said: “Our aim is to improve every week and I feel we have been doing that.
“We have been playing well in games and not getting the results we deserved, so it was good that we were able to both take our chances and be strong at the back.
“Since Arbroath I think we have seen a lot of improvement. We have worked hard to prove that was just a freak day.”
Next up for Airdrie is a venture into the Scottish Cup as they host Highland League leaders Cove Rangers.
Findlay feels his players will have to be at full strength to secure their spot in the next round.
He said: “It’s a game that our fans may be a bit nervous about because there has been a lack of consistency in our play this season.
“The draw has handed us a potential banana skin. We will have to match the effort we have shown in the past few weeks to get to the next round.”