Petrie focused on bid to take leap up table

The tight nature of League One could see Montrose defeat visitors Airdrie and jump from bottom place into sixth, with Links Park boss Stewart Petrie concentrating on the here and now, not past games.

Petrie said: “We won down at Airdrie 1-0 in the second game of the league season.

“It was great to get the win after losing to Arbroath on the opening day, but I do not think that result will have any impact on this one.

“Both teams have changed around a bit since then and they have also parted company with Stephen Findlay who was their manager at that time.”

The Diamonds last night appointed Ian Murray to succeed Findlay.

The former Dumbarton and St Mirren boss has been working as assistant to ex-Hibs teammate Kevin Nicol at Asker in Norway since January 2017, and will watch today’s game from the stand before starting his new job on Monday.

Another game that Petrie has moved on from is last Saturday’s 3-1 defeat from Ross County in the Irn-Bru Cup.

He said: “County are an excellent side who have really improved in the past few months.

“It will take a good team to stop them winning the Championship. They have pace and power in attack but our boys deserve a lot of credit for staying in the game as long as we did.

“We scored a good goal just before half-time and hoped to build on that in the second half .

“However they hit us with a third just six minutes into the restart. It was a great experience for us at a very good ground, but the better team won.

“There was no disgrace in anything for us, so we can face Airdrie with clear heads.”

Petrie is delaying naming his side until checks are carried out on Liam Callaghan who has been ill and Paddy Cregg who has picked up a knock.

Loan signings Ryan Harrington, Chris Antoniazzi and Euan Henderson are all available after being cup-tied last weekend.

Liam Callaghan has been ill.