Dale and Joao are dealt in by Airdrie

Airdrie have rewarded two of their star men with new contracts after a blistering start to the season.

Dale Carrick and Joao Vitoria have penned extended one-year deals which will run until the summer of 2020.

Carrick and Vitoria both contributed to the weekend’s comfortable 2-0 win over Stranraer.

Carrick set up Leighton McIntosh’s opener after a superb piece of skill at the byline, while Vitoria sealed the win with a lovely solo goal two minutes from full-time.

The latter has bagged four goals in five league games so far this season and Airdrie gaffer Stephen Findlay enthused about the Portuguese hitman’s contribution to the team.

He told the Advertiser: “Joao has blown us all away. He didn’t have a great season last term from his own perspective but when we sat down in the summer and looked at targets we were convinced we could bring out the best in him this time.

“He’s loving it and says

this is the best he’s felt.

“We’re giving Joao the opportunity to go and do what he’s good at and the fans are really starting to appreciate him.

“When he gets on the ball he’s only got one thin in his mind – go forward.

“Fans love that direct approach and he gets them on the edge of their seat.

“From what I’ve seen in League One very few players offer what he is capable of.

“Dylan Easton at Forfar is a very agile player with good balance but with Joao you get that plus power and an end product.

“He can comfortably go on the outside, cut inside and draw players to get out of tricky situations with quick feet.

“He’s 29 and coming into his prime so it really was a no brainer for us.”

Findlay was also keen to praise Carrick, who has found the net three times this season.

He continued:“Dale is the perfect profile of what we’re looking for at this football club.

“He gives his all for the team and his quality and professionalism are outstanding.

“He could quite easily have created interest in January and being on a one-year-deal would have been free to talk to other clubs.

“So we’ve got to protect ourselves of course; it’s about more than that.

“I’ve got a long-term vision for this football club over the next three to five years.

“These contracts represent what I want to build with the rest of the coaching staff.

“It was the right thing to do to reward these players and keep them here for as long as we can.

“They are of huge value to us.”

Solo goal Joao Vitoria