Airdrie boss Rhys McCabe: Exciting times ahead on recruitment front

Airdrie player-boss Rhys McCabe expects an "exciting" few weeks as he pieces together his squad for an assault on the League One title next season.

The 29-year-old has taken the reins from Ian Murray, tasked with getting the club to the Championship amid what is set up to be a fiercely competitive division next term with the likes of Dunfermline, Queen of the South, Kelty Hearts and Falkirk expected to be battling it out for automatic promotion.

Since his arrival late last month, McCabe has re-signed a host of players including striker Calum Gallagher and playmaker Adam Frizzell, while a couple of new additions have come in the door at New Broomfield in the form of defender Cammy Ballantyne from Montrose and the return of goalkeeper David Hutton from Alloa.

But there is still plenty to come as the youngest gaffer in the SPFL looks to put his stamp on the squad.

He said: "Recruitment is probably the most important thing in football.

"We are identifying targets that we believe will improve the squad and make this team better.

"That's the goal at the end of the day.

"We want to get players in who can help us go one better than last season.

"I'm constantly looking for quality additions in different areas, but it's also got to be in the best interest of the club. Will they improve the team.

"It will be an exciting time over the next few weeks on the recruitment side."

On the recent addition of Ballantyne, he added: "His consistency levels for the last few years in a very good Montrose side have been great.

"I know that first-hand, playing against him. They were very well-organised, stuffy, hard to break down and Cammy was a real big part of that.

"He will definitely add quality to our squad so I'm delighted to get him signed