Kevin is relishing time in hot seat

Kevin McBride has vowed to make the most of his time in temporary charge at Airdrieonians.

The 35-year-old is running first-team affairs while Eddie Wolecki Black recovers from a stroke he suffered in March.

McBride was the Diamonds’ under-20s boss last season and promoted to first-team coach earlier this summer.

Now the former Falkirk, Hibernian and Dundee midfielder wants to shine in the dugout.

He said:“You just don’t know how things are going to work out in football.

“I’ve done my‘B’Licence and believed I would get into coaching at some point. I’ll grasp this opportunity.

“It was good to take the under-20s last season but it was hard at the start. I got into the routine of it all but this is a different level now.

“Last year I took the chance to go part-time with Airdrie

and, due to unfortunate circumstances, I’ve taken on the head coach role until Eddie is fit again.

“I’ve got to try and get the club to where I think it should be.

“It would be better if these weren’t the circumstances but we want the club to be in a good position when Eddie comes back.

“Eddie is in high spirits, as always, and the boys think highly of him. We continue to wish him a speedy recovery.”

McBride is enjoying working with Airdrie supremo Tom Wotherspoon and believes the haulage boss will set the club on the road to success.

He said:“All the work I’ve done with the chairman has been so easy.

“I’d say I’ve maybe been spoiled. If I go elsewhere, I’ll expect the same.

“It has been so professional and he has been so easy to deal with. Most importantly, he’s been so honest. He backs the club 100 per cent and puts a lot into it.”

McBride’s first competitive games will be in the League Cup which kicks off with a sectional format next month.

Airdrie are in Group E with Partick Thistle, Queen of the South, Queen’s Park and Stenhousemuir.

“It will be good as we will be up against teams from the Premiership and the Championship,”McBride said. “Any player will tell you that these are the games you want to play in.”

Deep End McBride has been promoted from the under 20s