Findlay tells Airdrie to beware of Sutton threat

Airdrie manager Stephen Findlay has told his players that they are facing English thoroughbreds when they host Sutton United in the Irn-bru Cup today. The Diamonds boss watched the Vanarama National League side win 1-0 at Maidstone in midweek and reckons his men are facing a huge threat.

He said: “The spine of the Sutton team is big and athletic. The players that form the core of their team at centre-back, the centre of their midfield and up front are strong and physical and the best way to describe them is that they all look like thoroughbreds.

“During their win at Maidstone Sutton played to that physical strength by knocking balls up the park and looking to feed off that. However they can also pass the ball around as well so they’re not onedimensional.

“We want to progress as far as we can in this competition and that is why I went down there. I am glad that I did as we are facing a different type of challenge to the ones we face in our league.

“It is, however, an exciting challenge and there is a bit of Scotland and England rivalry thrown into the mix as well so there is plenty to be excited about.”

Sutton boss Paul Doswell knows that his side face a tough challenge in their first ever Irn-bru Cup tie as he explained: “I heard that Airdrie’s manager came down and took in our game on Tuesday. That shows how seriously they are taking it. There is no pressure on us to win but I believe that if you are in something then you should look to win it.

“No English clubs have been in this competition before this season so we have the chance to make a bit of history.”