Airdrie boss praises entire squad as Diamonds head in to crucial play-off crunch

Ian Murray praised every single member of his Airdrie squad this season as the club honoured their star performers of the 2021/22 season.

The Diamonds boss and his side finished runners-up in League One but still have a shot at promotion through the play-offs.

In front of a large, appreciative crowd, the New Broomfield club held their end of season awards immediately after the final whistle of their 1-1 draw with Peterhead, which set a new club record of 20 games unbeaten.

Player of the year went to winger Dylan Easton, while fellow wing wizard Adam Frizzell won Players’ player of the year.

Striker Callum Smith earned a double with the young player of the year prizes and Rhys McCabe earned goal of the season for his strike in the 2-0 Premier Sports Cup win over Motherwell.

Dylan Easton also won the PFA Scotland League One player of the year on Sunday.

And Murray said: “It has been a really good effort from the players.

“The boys have worked so hard since pre-season, working tirelessly on their fitness and physique.

“We’ve also been trying to improve them, in terms of playing, organisation and how we want them to play with the ball, and without it.

“The boys have done great, I can’t speak highly enough of this group of players – every single one of them.

“Even guys that have left have contributed to us.

“We keep going now, and we’ll try and get over that line and into the final.”

Montrose have taken two wins from Airdrie in their league matches this season, with two wins, while the Diamonds beat them 4-1 at New Broomfield in February, before battling out a 2-2 draw at Links Park.

Murray expects a tough game, and said: “Montrose have had the upper hand this season but this is an opportunity for us to change that.”

“There