Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
RICO RETURNS AFTER ABUSE
Defender helps Airdrie stay top of League 1
Airdrie manager Ian Murray says Rico Quitongo showed his quality after an excellent return to action in Saturday’s 1-0 win over East Fife.
It was announced last month that Quitongo was taking legal advice through PFA Scotland after Airdrie dropped a probe into alleged racial abuse.
He last played on October 2 against Clyde prior to the Methill display.
Airdrie launched an investigation into the alleged incident, which happened during September’s league match with Queen’s Park. But there was insufficient evidence to take further action after a “thorough investigation”.
Quitongo made a surprise return at Bayview over the weekend, as Callum Gallagher struck in the first half to ensure Murray’s men stayed top of League One, sitting one point ahead of second place Cove Rangers, who they meet next Saturday.
Asked about Quitongo’s return, Murray said: “We won’t be commenting on that situation any further.
“Rico’s back in the team and he’s part of a team that’s doing really well. He’s part of the group and as long as the team is doing well, we’re all happy.
“Rico was steady, very steady, and that is what we want from a left-back. Football has changed a bit now and everyone wants their full-back players to bomb on forward.
“People want them to be attacking but I believe you need to do your job first at the back. He was steady, solid and part of a good defensive shape.”
The Diamonds have won five of their last six games and momentum has been built ahead of a huge match with Cove next weekend. Murray believes they deserve to go into that clash with a win.
He added: “It was a good result and a good win, regardless of league position. We’ve picked up a few points since we last played East Fife in September.
“It was great to get another three points on the board away from home. It keeps us going nicely into what will be a hectic period.
“The first half we were very dominant and played very well. East Fife came into the game a wee bit more in the second half but it wasn’t backs against the wall stuff.
“It was far from that. As an away side, we put in a very solid performance and overall we deserved to win the match.”