Let’s bring back the Diamond days

Ex-Airdrie hero Coyle hopes for massive cup shock at Celtic

Airdrie hero Owen Coyle has called for the Diamonds to stun Celtic in the Scottish Cup – and spark a revival at New Broomfield.

The Hoops welcome Airdrie to Parkhead this weekend as gaffer Ian Murray looks to mastermind a fairytale Scottish Cup win for the part-time underdogs.

The Glasgow giants are on course for a third treble in three years as they sit top of the Premiership and have already lifted the League Cup this season – but the Penny Cars Stadium side hope to derail the plans.

Coyle scored his way into Airdrie folklore – notably appearing in the Scottish Cup final defeat to Rangers, in the European Cup Winners’ Cup loss to Sparta Prague, and by reaching the League Cup semi-final in 1991.

The 52-year-old, who enjoyed three spells wearing the Diamond, believes that a giant-killing beamed around the the globe on Saturday could see a return to the glory days of the past.

He has called for the stars of today to give everything for the fans and shock the multi-million pound Hoops squad.

“Firstly, it’s an absolutely brilliant draw,” he told the Advertiser. “Airdrie players and fans have a real affinity for the cup and big cup runs.

“This is a big, big opportunity against a formidable team who have just won the League Cup and are huge favourites for the league. They are going for the treble treble, as they say.

“For the Airdrie players it’s brilliant, but not just for them – it’s great for the fans.

“The fans are used to enjoying glamour games of the past