Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Findlay not sure on cup re-vamp
Airdrie prepare to face English side Sutton
Airdrie boss Stephen Findlay reckons the credability of the reformed Irn-Bru cup is something for fans to judge, as his side will want to win no matter who they’re playing.
Airdrie welcome English Vanarama Conference side Sutton United to the Penny Cars stadium on Saturday as they face-off in a tournament the Diamonds have won a record-equalling four times.
Welsh and Northern Irish clubs were added to the draw two years ago, but it is the first time English sides have been included in the competition.
Findlay admits he’s all for change, but said: “I absolutely get what the SPFL are trying to do in terms of innovation and inviting clubs from the other three nations into the competition.
“For me, yeah, the credibility of the cup has possibly been reduced.
“Whether the competition has been completely devalued or not is one for the fans to decide.
“For us, though, regardless of who we play it’s a challenge and a game we want to win.”
Findlay travelled to England on Tuesday to cast an eye over Sutton as they took on Maidstone United.
Ahead of the game he added: “Sutton are probably the equivalent of a Scottish Championship club.
“Most of their players come from a Premier League background and have gone through impressive systems before moving on.
“They’ve got players who have experience playing in the English Championship or League One and they are massive leagues with good quality.
“It’ll be a tough game and we’ll need to match them.”
Airdrie have started the season fairly well and sit third in League One, two points behind tabletoppers Arbroath.
On finding a balance between league and cup endeavours, Findlay said: “The league is our bread and butter and that’s where our main focus is.
“In saying that, of course we’d like a cup run.
“It generates excitement and confidence among the players.
“We have a strong history in this competition and we want to emulate that if we can.”