Josh’s belief is as solid as Diamonds

JOSH RAE admits it’s “crazy” to think Airdrie were scraping to get into one set of promotion play-offs this time last year – only to then make the step up and immediately finish in the top four.

But the keeper is adamant his belief that the Diamonds were bound to make an impression on the Championship never wavered as they gear up for a crack at reaching the Premiership.

While yesterday’s 4-0 defeat at Partick Thistle saw a four-game run of victories end with a dunt, Ayr and Dunfermline’s failure to win guaranteed a play-off in their first season back after a decadelong absence from the second tier.

Rae was the shoot-out hero 11 months ago yesterday as an Airdrie side who finished third, 21 points off the League One summit, beat Hamilton in the play-offs after flooring Falkirk.

He said: “I believed we’d get there even when we were sitting seventh in the league, only a few points above the bottom two.

“I think at one point we were maybe seven or eight behind the play-offs but I still believed we would get there.

“Even when we got promoted last season, after the game I said, ‘I don’t think we should be going up and aiming just to stay there, I believe that if we add a couple of players we’ll definitely be pushing for the play-offs.’ It’s good to see.”

Rae has been sidelined since last month after a brain bleed resulting from a head knock in a clash with Inverness. He has watched on as Airdrie moved into the play-off zone, with third spot still in play with two games to go.

He said: “I’m just cheering the boys on every week hoping they get the job done. I am more nervous sitting watching than I am when I am on the pitch!”

Asked if seeing how well they’re doing is helping aid his own recovery, he added: “Yeah, definitely. They’re doing brilliantly.

“Hopefully we get into third place, finish the season strongly, then we will take it into the playoffs and, fingers crossed, it is a good end to the season.

“It is crazy to think that one year ago we were pushing every week to try to get into the playoffs in League One because that wasn’t guaranteed either.

“And then a year later we are playing to get promoted to the Premiership. It is mental to think but I always believed it.

“I’ve written the season off for me personally now.

“I am just aiming towards being ready for June time and ready to go again next season.

“Fingers crossed the boys can get us up and we will see what happens from there.”