Diamonds Are Forever

Last updated : 15 July 2016 By ed_ScottishFitba

C:WindowsTempphpCED2.tmpAirdrie kick off their Betfred Cup campaign against Partick Thistle tonight under the leadership of stand in coach Kevin McBride as head coach Eddie Wolecki Black continues to make a phased return to the club following his stroke in March.  Airdrie begin life as a full-time club operating from their new Ravenscraig training base and captain Marc Fitzpatrick says the Diamonds are relishing the challenge of competitive football.
 
Fitzpatrick said: "The mood has been great, there seems to be a good chemistry between all the boys. With the extra time we all spend together, we have bonded quicker as a team. Obviously there's also more time on the training field to work on the tactical side of the game as well as our fitness. We're all looking forward to the new season. The new cup format brings its own excitement with the group stage, and playing against a team from the Premiership is a great challenge to start us off!"
 
Alan Archibald's Partick Thistle finished ninth in last season's Ladbrokes Premiership, but their top-flight experience gives them the edge in the eyes of the bookmakers. With a defence featuring ex-Airdrie loanee Liam Lindsay and new signing Ziggy Gordon, the Diamonds can expect a tough challenge to make their home advantage count. However, Fitzpatrick has seen how recent results elsewhere have shown that anything is possible. He went on: "Of course we can get something out of Fridays game, I think football this year - between Leicester and the Euros - has taught us that if you have the right work ethic and teamwork you can achieve anything.  It's obviously going to be a very difficult game and one we will need to play at our best to get anything from, but we are certainly capable of it."
 
As part of the new look League Cup format, all cup games will be played to a finish. In the event of a draw, the games go straight to penalties with the winner taking two points.