Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Murray: We are back to top form
Airdrieonians boss Ian Murray feels his players have responded to the “hysteria”caused by Challenge Cup defeat to Elgin after stunning Falkirk.
The shock exit from the competition left many concerned with the home form, however the win over Falkirk has saw the side close the gap at the top of League One.
Paul McKay’s opener was cancelled out by Declan McManus, before Calum Gallagher scored a late winner for the Diamonds in injury-time.
Murray says the players have now proven what they are capable of in League One.
The gaffer told the Advertiser:“There is no better way to win a game sometimes than a last minute winner, as strange as it sounds.
“It don’t think David [Hutton] didn’t have too many serious saves to make and we took our chances.
“The key for us now is to isolate ourselves from the rest of the division, and make sure a mini-league forms at the top of League One that we are involved in.
“That might not happen until we are 20 games into the season but we need to make sure we are part of it.”
He went on:“In the last couple of games results haven’t been that bad. The Elgin defeat at home caused a bit of hysteria , and that coupled with the Montrose defeat made it feel like things were going against us.
“Suddenly things look different. I think things were blown out of proportion a bit. We haven’t lost two league games in a row yet this season.
“It didn’t feel like that in the dressing room and the players deserve credit. The fans have really got behind the club now and that will really help us going forward.”
With East Fife and Raith Rovers missing league action this weekend, the Diamonds have the chance to move into top spot.
Murray says that is the message he will be sending to the players ahead of the clash with Stranraer.
He added:“It’s a simple one for us this weekend – if we win we go top of the league. It’s a difficult place to go and we will need to stick together and play as a team. They have a few former Airdrie players which always adds a bit of bite, but our players should be really motivated with the chance to move top.”