Airdrie hero nets 'real' cup medal but says it's no different to Covid gong

Nikolay Todorov scored the penalty to hand Airdrie the SPFL Trust Trophy and pick up his second medal in the competition.

And while his first medal came in the post after Covid denied Inverness and Raith Rovers a chance to battle out the 2020 final, he says the one he won against TNS is no more 'real'.

Todorov netted from the spot after Josh O’Connor was tripped by Josh Pask.

That handed the Diamonds a precious win, after Liam McStravick’s rocket shot had levelled Ben Clark’s early opener for TNS.

And the Bulgarian striker says it proves that teams can achieve anything they like, if they have enough belief.

Todorov, who netted his 10th goal of the season in the 2-1 win, said: “This was putting things right. It wasn’t any of the teams’ fault in 2020, it was Covid and a disaster for every kind of sport or business. We got the medals in the post.

“I have two now and it was about putting it right in my mind. I still look at my first one in the cupboard at home so it’s real.

“But it was about putting things right for my own peace of mind.

“The experience today was amazing. We saw how the fans turned up, singing our names.

“I had my daughter in the stand, my wife, my father-in-law and brother-in-law. It was an amazing experience.

“An unforgettable moment in my career.

“It feels amazing. A day that will go down in history for the club.”

Todorov added: “Winning is a habit just like losing. We will take a lot of confidence. It’s the last round of games coming up and I hope we keep doing the right things.

“We did that today. If everyone keeps believing in each other you never know how high you can reach. Football is a strange game.

“We want to reach the play-off and with this group you never know. It’s full of talent. “

Todorov