Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Ex-Diamond linked with Airdrie move
Boss wants more experience at centre-back
Airdrieonians have been linked with a bid to bring back Sean Crighton as they look to add experience to their defence for next season.
The former Diamond, currently playing for Brechin, is understood to be a top target this summer and manager Stephen Findlay admits they are keen to improve their backline next term.
Despite a torrid campaign with the Glebe Park outfit, collecting just four points in the Championship and no wins all season, the 28-year-old was impressive during his last spell in League One with Livingston as he led them to the title.
Gaffer Findlay would not be drawn into specifics but said they have been tracking a number of players in that position. He said he hoped to have some signing news to announce in the next couple of weeks.
“It would be remiss of us to talk about players who are contracted to other clubs,” he told the Advertiser.
“We are looking at a number of experienced centre- backs to strengthen for next season.
“All I will say is that it is an area we are looking to strengthen.”
With a number of players coming through the doors at the Excelsior Stadium during a poor campaign on the park, Findlay is now looking forward to having a full summer to focus on improving the squad.
He says they will sit down with the players in the coming days, and praised them for their efforts in a turbulent campaign.
“We have to remember that this is a group of young lads,” he continued.
“We want to treat them with the respect they deserve for their valiant efforts this season.
“Do I think we have underperformed? Possibly.
“We feel like with the players and quality in that dressing room we could finished higher.
“However, I’ve sat down with Stuart Shields (director) and as he has openly said, it’s not a six or 12-month plan, it’s long-term.
“We don’t want to have a huge turnaround every six months, we need to look to the future and see how we can progress.
“The one thing we have lacked is experience and this summer gives us a chance to improve, we have to look at that first and foremost.
“We don’t want to swap like for like, we want to keep improving.”