Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
A horror Betfred Cup draw for Airdrie
Airdrieonians manager Stephen Findlay is looking forward to the kick-off of the new season after the Betfred Cup draw.
The Diamonds face a‘Group of Death’after being drawn against two Premiership teams - newly-promoted Livingston and Hamilton Accies.
The selection will see Airdrie compete in one of just two groups to feature two Premiership teams.
They will also face League Two sides Berwick Rangers and Annan.
Findlay is keen to see his new-look squad in competitive action after signing up nine new recruits so far this summer.
“I think it’s a good draw,”he told the Advertiser.“It’s one of the tougher draws, but we want to be testing ourselves against the best sides in the country.
“We have a lot of new players in and to get them some competitive game time right away is a real benefit.”
The Diamonds continued that squad rebuild adding Darryl Duffy - who spent time on loan from St Mirren last season - to the ranks last week.
Findlay still has hopes of adding “one or two”new faces to complete the side.
“We have a good core of our team there.
“When you look at the squad there are players who could have played for other teams in League One or had Championship clubs looking at them, but bought into what we are doing here. “So, we had to be well prepared. “As I said the fans at the Q&A myself and Marc have been putting a lot of work in to find the right kind of player who we think will take this club forward.
“We are still talking to a couple of players and still could add one or two.”
Similarly, Albion Rovers face a tough test in after being picked in Group E.
The Coatbridge side go into the group stage as the lowest ranked side, with relegated Premiership side Partick Thistle picked as top seeds.
Championship side Morton will provide a stern test for new boss John Brogan. Fans also face reliving the final day heartbreak against Ayr - which saw the team relegated - as they were picked out alongside the League One champions.
Stenhousemuir - who went up to League One via the play-off spots - completes the group.
The group clashes will be played across five dates – July 14, 18, 21, 25 and 28.