Airdrie penalty hero sets sights on Premiership play-offs

Josh Rae saved the penalty that took Airdrie to the Championship... and immediately set his sights on next season’s Premiership play-offs.

The 22-year-old has set his sights big on next season’s Championship, and says the free-scoring Diamonds have nothing to fear from the step-up.

Rae made a few crucial saves through the game as a 2-1 defeat took the tie into extra-time, and he then saved Dan O’Reilly’s spot-kick to hand Airdrie a 6-5 win.

That’s what the former Queen of the South and Celtic under-17 shot-stopper is at the club for, and wants more, and has no regrets about putting his old club into League One.

“I’m delighted to be going up to the Championship – that’s why I came here,” he said.

“I said in my first interview when I got to the club that I was here to get promoted, and I can’t believe we’ve one it to be honest – it’s amazing.

“I think with the style of play we’ve got, teams will find it difficult to come up against us, and teams will be fearing us.

“I’m really confident we can do well, and push for the top half of the league.

“The play-offs are achievable. I think teams going up would probably just aim to stay there, but in my eyes we should be aiming for the play-offs.

“With the style of play, the gaffer Rhys McCabe and everyone we’ve got, it’s a real high, and we just need to take it game by game.”

Rae revealed that he and goalkeeper coach David Hutton studying Hamilton’s previous penalties worked for Airdrie – but it was mind-games with O’Reilly in the end.

He said: “Me and Hutts did our homework on their penalties, and it paid off in the end, so I’m delighted.

“I don’t think I could make a more important save It’s definitely the biggest I’ve made in my career so far, and it will be tough to top it.

“I